- New on-water drug and alcohol testing laws
introduced to State Parliament
- Laws mirror the State's road laws for drug and
alcohol testing
- Safety initiative to deliver consistent message
to skippers and drivers
Amendments to the Western Australian Marine Act 1982
allowing drug and alcohol testing on Western Australian waterways have been
introduced to State Parliament ahead of the staged implementation of the long-awaited
reforms.
The new laws will bring the
State in line with
jurisdictions across Australia, and deliver a consistent safety message to
skippers and drivers.
Under the new laws, to be
implemented during the next year, skippers navigating a vessel will be subject
to the same drug and alcohol limits and penalties as those in place for drivers
on WA roads. Department of Transport officers, supported by the WA Police Force,
will have the ability to test skippers if required, and remove any threat to on-water
safety.
A special working group reviewed
local incident statistics, data-based evidence from States where marine drug
and alcohol testing is already in place, and local research highlighting a
strong community expectation that Government has a role to play in reducing the
use of drugs and alcohol while boating.
The group found that the use
of drugs and alcohol could have been a contributing factor in many of the 88
deaths, 66 serious injuries, and 167 hospital admissions reported in WA marine
incidents between July 2011 and February 2022.
The first stage of the new
laws includes offences to target unsafe operation of vessels, and significantly
increased penalties for skippers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Skippers
who operate a vessel under the influence face a fine of up to $3,750 for a
first offence, and more than $7,500 and up to 18 months imprisonment for a
third or subsequent offence. Those navigating while under the influence and
causing death will face a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and an
unlimited fine.
As part of the staged
implementation, new offences with prescribed limits for blood alcohol - similar to the rules on the road - will follow
next year.
For more information about the
new laws visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/drugsandalcohol
An education campaign will
raise awareness of the reforms.
Comments attributed to Minister Assisting
the Transport Minister David Michael:
"This is a safety initiative
that brings WA into line with other State jurisdictions, and reinforces the national
approach to reducing drug and alcohol related harm on the water.
"While the majority of
skippers are responsible on the water, this approach allows officers to test a
skipper for drugs or alcohol and act to improve safety.
"Peak boating groups including
Boating WA, Boating Industry Association WA, Yachting WA and Marine Tourism
have been consulted and pleasingly they support this initiative which will
deliver safer waterways for all users in WA."
Comments attributed to Police
Minister Paul Papalia:
"The changes send a consistent
message that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not tolerated
on the State's roads or waterways.
"The Department of Transport
has worked co-operatively with the WA Police Force to present a workable
solution to the delivery of on-water drug and alcohol testing in WA, and
continued collaboration between these key agencies will result in successful
implementation of the new laws."
