MP leads push for compulsory swimming lessons in Aussie schools

THE 69 people who drowned this summer – including Tuipulotu Gallaher – has compelled MP Matt Thistlethwaite to push for swimming to be part of the national school curriculum.

A young girl lays a floral tribute at South Maroubra beach in honour of 14 year old Tuipolotu Gallaher, who drowned there on December 27. Kingsford Smith MP Matt Thistlethwaite is leading the push for swimming lessons to be compulsory in schools. Picture: Carly Earl/

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THE  69 people who drowned this summer – including teenager Tuipulotu Gallaher at South Maroubra – has compelled Kingsford Smith federal Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite to push harder for swimming and water safety to be made a compulsory part of the national school curriculum.

Mr Thistlethwaite submitted a motion in the House of Representatives this afternoon, calling for the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework to be implemented, ensuring every Australian child had the opportunity to learn to swim by the time they completed primary school.

The 14-year-old Tuipulotu, or Tui, died after he and his cousin became stuck in a rip at South Maroubra on December 27.

The family of Tuipolotu ‘Tui’ Gallaher gather at South Maroubra in his honour after the 14 year old drowned in a rip on December 27. Picture: Carly Earl.

“The sad fact of Tui’s and almost every drowning is that they are preventable with the right training and education,” Mr Thistlethwaite told Parliament.

“It’s time for the Commonwealth Government to show leadership and work with the states to ensure every Australian child gets the necessary education and training to be safe in and around the water.”

14 year old Tuipulotu " Tui "Gallaher , who drowned at South Maroubra Beach. Picture: John Appleyard

Two hundred and eighty people drowned in Australia in the 2015-16 season – a 5 per cent increase in drownings from the previous year.

Mr Thistlethwaite also pointed to studies showing a “concerning trend” in children entering high school without having been taught to swim.

Kingsford Smith Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite speaking in Canberra. Picture: Penny Bradfield AUSPIC/DPS

“Research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are also less likely to achieve identified benchmarks for water safety competence compared to non-indigenous students,” he said. “This is also the case for children not born in Australia.”

His speech echoed federal Labor’s $40.9 million election pledge to establish a ­National Water Safety Education Fund. He called on the Government to provide additional funding to the states and territories to ensure students have access to swimming pools and accredited trainers.

The motion also called for a parliamentary inquiry into why drownings in Australia are increasing, and why the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework hasn’t been implemented.

Mr Thistlethwaite said water and surf safety messages in foreign languages needed to be conveyed to tourists, highlighting the importance of swimming and water safety at beaches, rivers, lakes and pools.