Waka Guidelines Should Sound Warning

Thursday, October 4 2001 Penny Webster Press Releases -- Transport

The release of the guidelines for safety of waka crews must be viewed with caution, ACT Transport Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today.

"While guidelines may be seen as a positive step, the fact a Government agency was involved should sound a warning.

"Guidelines are only a step away from regulation. It does not take long for voluntary guidelines to become mandatory regulation - especially from a government hell-bent on regulating everything.

"Any drowning is tragic, but accidents do happen. A total of 102 people drowned in New Zealand last year, and 1,015 in the past ten years. One of those was an accident involving waka.

"I urge Nga Kaihoe o Aotearoa and the Nga Waka Federation to keep control of these 'guidelines' and make sure they remain just that," Mrs Webster said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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