State Government provides $45,000 to Surf Life Saving WA

2/10/03
The State Government will provide a one-off grant of $45,000 to the Surf Lifesaving Association of WA (SLSWA) to help it overcome its public liability insurance premium shortfall.
The Government's contribution will meet 50 per cent of the $90,000 shortfall currently faced by the local association.
"While this is a national issue and there is a national fund raising campaign currently being run by Surf Lifesaving Australia to raise $1million for all surf lifesaving clubs in Australia, the State Government's primary focus is on our local clubs," Dr Gallop said.
"We urge all Western Australians to get behind the WA clubs and contribute to the association's national fund raising campaign.
"We hope the corporate sector, in particular, will rise to the occasion and give generously to this worthy cause."
The State Government had been assured by SLSWA that all the money donated by Western Australians would be directed to surf life saving clubs in WA.
Dr Gallop said the Government was a strong supporter of SLSWA.
The Government provided more than $460,000 to SLSWA a year, including $350,000 a year for the provision of beach safety services and $110,000 for education, training and sport development activities.
In addition, LotteryWest had recently entered into a $1million agreement with SLSWA over three years for lifesaving capital works projects.
The Premier said he was confident Western Australians would get behind the SLSWA and that the current problem would be overcome.
However, Dr Gallop also said he was concerned about future funding arrangements.
"It is not sustainable for the association to keep going back to the public seeking donations to meet increasing insurance costs," he said.
"The Government will continue to explore alternative funding arrangements for volunteer lifesavers and I expect SLSWA to fully participate in seeking a long-term solution for all concerned."
Premier's office: 9222 9475