Latest News - March 2012

Swim Australia Backs Free Swimming Lessons

Swim Australia fully supports the proposed Queensland initiative to provide 10 free swimming lessons for children under 4 years of age. The 10 lessons will provide a great start – especially for those whose parents’ can’t afford lessons. Swim Schools will be able to encourage parents to undertake more lessons, whilst providing vital water safety education for parents. Additionally, Swim Australia will work with the likes of ASCTA to get more accredited teachers into remote areas and provide modified curriculums for teaching skills to those likely to encounter dam-type environments.

Swim Australia believes that the LNP should match this Policy.

As the SwimSAFER story outlines, developing swimming and water safety skills provides another ‘Layer of Protection’ – whilst not negating the vital need for proper supervision and barriers and having an emergency action plan in place.

For more information on the Queensland Water Babies program, check out:

Watch Premier Anna Bligh's address for the Water Babies Initiative

Read the Brisbane Time's article "Labor offers free swim lessons for toddlers"