Action Required After New Report Confirms WA Has Highest Drowning Rate in Australia

Media Release | 26 August 2025
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Liam Staltari MLA
‍Shadow Minister for Education;
Early Childhood; Disability Services; Heritage
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The State Opposition has called on the Cook Labor Government to reverse cuts to its free VacSwim pool entry fee and boost access to in-term swimming lessons in the wake of new data that confirms a sharp rise in drownings in Western Australia.

Stark new figures released by Royal Life Saving Australia in the 2025 National Drowning Report reveal that Western Australia has the highest drowning rate in the country – 1.65 deaths per 100,000 people.

In 2024/25, 49 people drowned in WA – a 36 per cent increase on the 10-year average.

Shadow Education Minister Liam Staltari said the figures were deeply concerning and underscored the need for the Government to make it easier for families to access swimming lessons.

“Even one drowning is one too many and it’s unthinkable that just as drownings surge across WA, the Cook Labor Government has slashed free pool entry for VacSwim,” he said.

“That cut means it will cost a family with three kids at least an extra $150 extra to enrol them in a 10-day VacSwim course.

“For some families this may be the difference between enrolling their kids to learn to swim or not learning a basic and potentially life-saving skill.

“This Government is willing to spend $217.5 million on an unwanted racetrack, but they will pinch pennies and cut a life-saving VacSwim initiative worth less than a million dollars.”

Mr Staltari called on the Government to immediately reinstate free pool entry for VacSwim and to do more to boost access to in-term swimming lessons.

“It’s vital that we reduce barriers to entry to in-term swimming lessons and boost incentives for people to become swimming teachers – particularly in regional WA and the outer suburbs, where communities face a very real shortage,” he said.

ENDS

Contact: Graham Mason 0419 194 792

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