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Ingram opposed to new lifejacket regulationsGippsland East MP, Craig Ingram, says "Bracks’ Bureaucrats" are at it again with more "nanny state laws, regulating the masses in an attempt to protect the minority of idiots who don’t follow the laws anyway". By Craig Ingram - 2nd December 2005 - Back to News Gippsland East MP, Craig Ingram, says "Bracks’ Bureaucrats" are at it again with more "nanny state laws, regulating the masses in an attempt to protect the minority of idiots who don’t follow the laws anyway".
Mr Ingram was commenting on the implementation of new regulations to enforce the compulsory wearing of lifejackets on boats, which will be introduced on December 1.
"This is an unwelcome Christmas present for the sensible boat users and those who will be required to enforce the laws," Mr Ingram said today.
"The only people who will be happy with the government’s stupidity are the State Opposition and marine equipment suppliers.
"These changes will require many recreational boat operators and anglers to go out and buy an expensive, inflatable personal floatation device (PFD) -- which are less safe, more prone to wear, tear and damage or failure -- just to enable them to go about there favourite and safe recreational activity."
Mr Ingram said many of the new regulations will be almost impossible to enforce and impose substantial increased cost on low income recreational boaters and anglers in the lead up to the Christmas holidays.
"I am extremely disappointed that Marine Safety Victoria and the State Government have again failed to listen to commonsense on these proposals and I will be raising my objections when parliament resumes.
"As well, I have organised a petition objecting to the new regulations and this will be circulating throughout my electorate and indeed throughout the state.
"Hire boat operators are exempt from these laws, which create some stupid inequities.
"For example, we could have the ludicrous situation of a 10 metre lakes cruiser at drift on a glassy calm Gippsland Lakes, subject to a thunderstorm warning, the occupants would have to wear lifejackets when the passengers of a 4.8 metre hire boat occupying the same waters would not.
"This is just one of the inequities that these regulations generate," Mr Ingram said.
Petitions are available from Mr Ingram’s office or VR Fish, Victoria’s peak recreational fishing body.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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