6/12/02
The State Government is paving the way to making managed outdoor adventure pursuits safer.
Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter today released a report that sets out strategies to improve safety standards in the industry and announced that, for the first time, the Government would fund the peak body for the State's outdoor recreation industry.
"We are providing Outdoors WA with a total of $60,000 to help implement recommendations from the report to increase safety standards in the outdoor recreational industry through a system of responsible self-regulation," Mr Carpenter said
The Minister said the growth of managed outdoor activities such as abseiling, caving and climbing - and the increasing number of businesses providing the adventure pursuits - meant it was time for the industry to look at management and control issues to ensure the safety of participants.
He said the public liability pressures had also added weight to the urgent need for the industry to come together.
Mr Carpenter officially released the report 'Future Direction of Outdoor Pursuits in WA' at the Outdoors WA State conference in Fremantle.
"The report will ensure that there is an industry lead focus to develop safety standards, establish enforcement and compliance mechanisms and introduce risk management policies and procedures," he said.
"As the peak body, Outdoors WA has the responsibility to provide the necessary leadership to determine relevant strategies for the industry.
"One such strategy is to introduce nationally recognised accreditation schemes for service providers.
"From the Government's funding to Outdoors WA, $35,000 will be used to implement and manage the National Outdoor Leader Registration Scheme (NOLRS) and the Organisational Accreditation Scheme (OAS).
"These programs set the benchmark for appropriate competencies and qualifications for outdoor leaders and organisations, while accreditation will raise safety standards and professionalism within the industry and increase participation."
The remaining $25,000 will be used to support the management and operations of Outdoors WA.
Another of the recommendations contained within the report related to reforms to public liability laws.
The Minister said the Government was currently drafting the second stage Tort Law reforms which will improve clarity and balance on key duty of care issues.
"These reforms will redefine negligence in relation to recreational services and will ensure that those who engage in recreational activities are responsible for taking care of their own safety," he said.
"This is preferable to continuing to foster a culture of blame and litigationand address the assumption of risk, which are issues which are directly relevant to those who take part in risky outdoor pursuits and the responsibility of service providers.
"Existing and further proposed reforms directly respond to concerns raised by outdoor pursuits providers."
Mr Carpenter said the State Government was confident that these reforms, which were being undertaken by State and Territory Governments across Australia, would contribute to stabilising public liability insurance premiums.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
