NT pool fencing review remains in limbo after two years

IT has been two years since three-year-old Justin Morgan-Parke drowned in an unfenced spa on a rural block in Herbert. Lying on the spa floor next to him was a toy truck he had received as a gift that day

IT has been two years since three-year-old Justin Morgan-Parke drowned in an unfenced spa on a rural block in Herbert. Lying on the spa floor next to him was a toy truck he had received as a gift that day.

At an inquest into his death, Deputy Coroner Kelvin Currie speculated the little boy had gone into the water after accidentally dropping the toy.

Justin Morgan-Parke tragically drowned in an unfenced spa.

Justin’s death led then-planning minister Dave Tollner to announce a review of the Northern Territory’s pool fencing laws, which allow pools and spas on properties larger than 1.8ha to be unfenced.

The review was picked up again under the new Labor Government.

In August last year, the review was reported to be in its “final stages”, but has since disappeared from the radar.

Royal Life Saving NT chief executive Floss Roberts said there was no excuse for the delay.

“It is not acceptable to have such a big gap in the legislation. You can’t have something under review for that period of time without putting the community at risk,” she said. She said she feared it would take another child’s life before the Government was moved to close the loophole.

“It’s time to stop talking about it and move into action. I don’t want to wait until there is another drowning,” she said.

“The rest of Australia has upgraded their pool fencing legislation – unfortunately always because of a fatal drowning – and we haven’t done it with ours. The fact these homes can have an unfenced pool or spa while they’re clearly a residential property is not acceptable.” Ms Roberts said Royal Life Saving NT had not been approached by the Government to participate in the review.

An NT Government spokesman denied the review was “delayed” – despite the two-year lag – and said it would be considered by Cabinet “within the normal process”.

The spokesman said the Government would consult with RLSNT and the public before any decisions were made about changes to the law.