The death of a man while rock fishing during a dangerous surf warning has created debate within the community.
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Many voices said they would either wear a life jacket or fish from wharves during times of deceptively powerful surf conditions.
However, while chatting with locals about their thoughts on compulsory life jackets while rock fishing the term “nanny state” was uttered repeatedly.
The term “nanny state” is often discussed in Australia, especially with issues such as censorship, bicycle helmets, recreational marijuana use and pub and club lockout laws, with the issue even leading to a Senate inquiry in 2015, later paused by the federal election.
It was the same phrase that has been used about the removal of the rope swings from trees next to the Yowaka River.
The news that the rope swings had been removed unleashed a torrent of anger from local people, some of whom said the swings had been there since they were children.
There was a lot of talk about children spending too much time inside sitting in front of screens versus the fun of getting some exercise by swinging off a rope into the river.
Sadly we live in times where organisations feel the need to “minimise their risks” and that includes trying to remove any possibility of being sued.
We have taken the American route of being quick to sue when something goes wrong. It’s made for nervous councils and other organisations.
As Fiona Campbell said in her post on the story, “The problem is that as soon as something goes wrong people sue and don't take responsibility for their own actions - putting up a sign advising people that there is a potential risk means that legally you acknowledged the risk and therefore liable. Sadly following the US and being eager to sue has made us a nanny state that has forgotten how to have fun!”
Most of us are happy to take responsibility for our actions. Part of growing up is working out where the safety boundaries are and whether we want to cross them.
Back on the subject of life jackets there are many instances of people getting into trouble while not wearing life jackets and cases where wearing them saved someone’s life. When you look at risks, there are some obvious cases where a life jacket is a great idea but should it be left up to individual choice or should the government step in?