Newsroom

November 27, 2024

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) will move a motion in Parliament to disallow the amended lifejacket regulations set to take effect on December 1, 2024, claiming they disregard the realities of boating and fishing in North Queensland.

The draft regulations, tabled by the former Labor Government in September 2024, would require lifejackets to be worn:

• By people boating alone, or only with children under 12 years on an open boat less than 4.8

metres in length whilst underway.

• People boating between sunset and sunrise on an open boat less than 4.8 metres in length whilst underway.
• People crossing a designated coastal bar on an open boat and on an open area (the deck) of a ship of any length.
• Children aged one year or more and under 12 years on an open boat or an open area (the deck) of a ship of any length whilst underway.

The penalty for non-compliance can amount to 500 penalty units or two years imprisonment.

State Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, slammed the regulations as “southern-centric” and impractical for North Queenslanders, particularly recreational fishers who he said were already burdened by excessive government overreach.

“These rules might make sense in air-conditioned offices in Brisbane, but they don’t take into account the heat, humidity, and unique risks of our waterways,” Mr Dametto said.

“The public consultation conducted for these regulatory changes revealed that boaties were largely unsupportive of these requirements, particularly in instances of solo boating.

“There is no compelling evidence to show that these new rules will have a positive impact on marine safety. In 2023, there were 16 marine-related fatalities in Queensland, and I don’t see how these changes will significantly reduce that number.

“In North Queensland, our waterways are full of crocodiles and sharks. If you fall overboard, your first thought isn’t about drowning, it’s about getting back on board before something gets you.

“Except for requiring young children to wear lifejackets, boaties should be trusted to make decisions about their own safety without being over policed every time they go out on the water.

“We’ll be calling on the Crisafulli government to support KAP’s disallowance motion and refrain from imposing the former Labor government’s southern-style regulations on North Queensland.”

The KAP motion to disallow the regulations is expected to be moved in Parliament on Thursday, November 28, 2024 with the debate to occur on a date to be determined.