One woman’s determination wakes up the Minister

 “How many boat crash crises do the courts and the public have to go through before a compulsory insurance scheme covers the risk of accidents?” Greens Transport spokesperson, Lynn MacLaren MLC, asked today.

“It should come as no surprise to the Government that such a scheme is necessary. In 2010-11, there were 87 recreational boating incidents resulting in personal injury or death. The year before, there were 89, and in 2008-09, there was a clear indication that something needed to be done: 120 incidents resulting in injury or death.

“A compulsory third party insurance scheme for boating would clarify and regulate the process for all involved when things go wrong. That’s why we have it for motor vehicles. Pleasure craft skippers should be treated no differently.

“Clearly the Woollard controversy has changed the Minister’s mind. In November he dismissed the idea of an insurance scheme as too costly in answer to my parliamentary questions.”

“The Greens think it is not onerous to require insurance coverage for the 160 000 recreational skippers or 94 435 registered vessels. Do we really need an inquiry?”

“Most boats are already insured, according to the boating associations.”