Lifejacket laws in for choppy ride as boaties object to new rules

Queensland’s new lifejacket laws will be under fire in state parliament this week, with a potential debate set to flare up over the practicalities of the broad new regulations.

It is now obligatory to ear a lifejacket in Queensland. Picture: SEQWATER

Queensland’s new lifejacket laws, which were phased in late last year, are set to make waves in state parliament this week, as politicians clash over the practicality and relevance of the new regulations.

Boaties and those who regularly use the state’s lakes and dams will also be keeping a keen eye on the discussion which could sink parts of the new rules on life jackets and kill-switch lanyards, before they fully take effect.

The debate will focus on a range of new scenarios for mandatory wearing of the devices including solo trips, night-time voyages, crossing coastal bars and trips with children.

The amended legislation was officially floated in September with some sections starting to operate immediately while sections 4, 7, 12 and 13 came into effect in December.

However, Maritime Safety Queensland temporarily pumped the brakes, delaying enforcement until July 1, to give boaties time to learn the ropes and for this week’s added parliamentary debate.

Parliamentary debate will centre on new life jackets laws in Queensland. Picture: Wivenhoe Dam

Data from MSQ showed 16 lives were lost in marine incidents in 2023, with 13 of those fatalities involving people who weren’t wearing life jackets.

Maritime authorities believe the new rules could be the lifesaver needed to turn the tide on the tragic statistics.

However, not everyone’s on board with the changes.

In December, after the latest legislation, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto criticised the new one-size-fits-all lifejacket approach as impractical for North Queenslanders, particularly in crocodile-infested waters, and put forward a disallowance motion.

Cook MP David Kempton backed up the motion at a public briefing in January claiming enforcing the laws would also be an issue.

“We need to consider the practical implications for people who rely on boats for daily transport, not just recreation,” he said.

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon acknowledged the challenges but said 38 people had drowned in waters around Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and Gladstone regions over the past five years, with only one known to have been wearing a lifejacket.

“Evidence shows that life jackets significantly increase survival rates during unexpected overboard incidents,” Mr Dillon said.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has put forward a Disallowance motion after amendments to the state’s lifejacket laws in September and in December.

This week, discussion will likely focus on Section 4 of the amended legislation which rules that certain vessels must be equipped with life jackets along with section 7 which requires individuals to wear life jackets during specific high-risk situations such as crossing a coastal bar.

It will also include Section 12 which introduces penalties for noncompliance and Section 13 which specifies when each regulation will start operating.

Industry groups including the Queensland Recreational Boating Council and the Boating Industry Association have thrown their weight behind the reforms, while recreational users have remained split.

Public consultation revealed strong support for mandating life jackets for children and during night voyages, but some lone yachties feel the new rules are a step too far.

The new laws make it obligatory for children to wear life jackets. Picture: Flairimages/Getty

If the disallowance motion is defeated, Queensland’s lifejacket requirements will align more closely with other states like New South Wales and Victoria, where similar rules are already in place.

If it succeeds, however, the government may have to navigate a new course.

Other changes to rules for boat users that were introduced in September under the amendments were for Lake Wivenhoe, a popular spot for fishing and leisurely cruises.

They included restrictions on certain vessels and activities, such as banning personal watercraft and enforcing speed limits to protect water quality, safety, and the local environment.

Seqwater, which manages recreational activities at the lake, has been enforcing similar rules for years, but the new regulations will make these site rules enforceable by law.

Mr Dametto’s disallowance motion this week will not affect the new rules for the Lake Wivenhoe marine zone, which are already operational.