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.
Many see the removal of personal responsibility as a negative progression in our society, while others felt government needs to attempt to “save people from themselves”.
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.
The Personal Choice and Community Impacts inquiry was criticised by opponents for being more of a political crusade by Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm more so than one with a focus on civil liberties.
Meanwhile, the new model life jackets on offer over the weekend by Transport for NSW’s Old4New campaign are either manually or automatically inflated by a carbon dioxide gas canister requiring replacement after every use, and self-servicing every year.
The van toured Eden, Merimbula, Tathra and Bermagui with organisers saying it was a busy weekend and a constant flow of people looking to take advantage of upgrading their life jackets at a reduced price.
Jackets selling at cost price for $130 were bought for half that on the day, while a quick search of the internet can quickly find the same models for the same price, not including postage.
A positive part of the campaign overheard throughout Sunday morning was the initiative to send many of the exchanged life jackets to our closest, yet most forgotten, neighbour Papua New Guinea to help save lives.
While jackets are required on canoes and kayaks under certain conditions, a quick chat with the local Marine Rescue crew highlighted the fact the quickly growing phenomenon of stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) follows no life jacket regulating rules in NSW.
Laws differ between states, and in Victoria a life jacket must be worn while on a SUP when more than 400 metres from the shore of any waterway.