BY EMILY WILLIAMS
There are concerns for the Hunter's Learn to Swim program, with the Labor government planning to cut back on its funding for Royal Life Saving (RLS) NSW.
These cuts coming after 90 drowning deaths across the country were recorded in the 2022-23 Summer.
NSW recorded the same amount of drowning deaths as Victoria and Queensland combined, with the Hunter being one of the worst regions in the state.
Royal Life Saving NSW's CEO Michael Ilinsky says these cuts will only lead to more drownings.
"It's a significant concern to us, taking away from our most vulnerable and that leads to the potential of more fatal drownings across the state," he said.
RLS NSW had been working with both the Coalition and Labor Governments, seeking a $1.2 million core funding commitment for drowning prevention.
At this stage, there is no funding commitment from the Liberal Government.
RLS NSW is the leader of drowning prevention and water safety education in the state and has been doing so for 125 years.
Learn to swim programs are already playing catch up, with Covid-19 leading to the cancellation of 3.5 million swimming lessons across the state. As a result, 40% of year six students are unable to swim 50 metres.
Ilinsky says it is unacceptable, especially in a country like ours.
"We wonder why people are going into our aquatic environments and getting into trouble," he said.
"Their core skills are missing, their ability to swim and survive is missing."
RLS NSW is urging the party elected this weekend to ensure children have access to high quality learn to swim programs, particularly in areas with heightened drowning rates; like the Hunter.
