Aussie PM fined $250 for not wearing a lifejacket

29 December 2017 05:04 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been fined $250 for not wearing a lifejacket while steering his inflatable dinghy near his Point Piper mansion on Sydney Harbour, the Guardian reported.

The prime minister was photographed at the helm of the motorised dinghy by the Australian newspaper on Wednesday. He was wearing a red rashvest but no lifejacket, a breach of New South Wales maritime regulations.

Turnbull said he was only moving the boat 20m between a jetty and the beach next to the house he shares with his wife Lucy while at home over Christmas.

After reports accompanying the photograph noted his breach of regulations, Turnbull said in a Facebook post the first he had learned of the rule was when he called Maritime Services.

“The rules can often seem very technical, but they are there to keep us safe and we should all comply with them,” he said.

“So lesson learned; I will make sure I always wear a life jacket in my dinghy regardless of how close I am to the shore, just as I always do on my kayak.”

Maritime Services investigated the incident and on Friday delivered a $250 fine. A spokesman for Turnbull said the fine would be paid.

Angus Mitchell, executive director of NSW Maritime, said the incident was a “timely reminder” of the need for safety on the water.

“We want to ensure everyone enjoys their break and gets home safely this summer so please, wear a lifejacket and take care on our waterways,” he said.

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Comments - 20

Sunil Friday, 29 December 2017 05:30 PM

What a good lesson for our moron MPs and ministers?

Sincere Friday, 29 December 2017 05:34 PM

Now Australians are copying us!!

ceylon Friday, 29 December 2017 05:36 PM

srilanka is 1000 years behind australia for this kind of rule of law.what a worderfull country.australians can very proud of their government. via DM Android App

DPerera Friday, 29 December 2017 06:11 PM

I have seen photos of our dignitaries traveling on vehicles during ceremonial opening of bridges/highways without wearing seat-belts. Never heard of any police action against them.

Dhammika Friday, 29 December 2017 06:21 PM

It happens DOWN UNDER but here the person who fines will have to go UNDER GROUND AND WILL DISAPPEAR .( Hopefully not in a white van now )

Martin Milton Friday, 29 December 2017 06:35 PM

Oh yes! one would be waiting for aeons for this manner of Law enforcement on ANY politician in Sri Lanka or for that matter in many South Asian nations. These are the REAL principles South Asian nations MUST adopt but they probably never will. MM

Sofia Friday, 29 December 2017 07:08 PM

Real yahapalanaya at work. Democracy at its best. Law and Order in real terms - unlike our Low and Odour with selective application.

Kumara Dharmarathne Friday, 29 December 2017 07:20 PM

I can remember,few weeks back Australian PM,Hon. Malcolm Turnbull visited Sri Lanka and stayed for few days in the country. I am sure during his stay,he must have been influenced by Sri lankan violations of regulations here. However,poor guy got fined.

karthik Friday, 29 December 2017 07:21 PM

Poor Aussie PM. He has failed to take tuition from our politicians to handle such situations.

Gamarala Friday, 29 December 2017 07:35 PM

We in Sri Lanka have a long, long way to go before we come to the level of Western liberal democracies, where everyone is equal before the laws of the land. This is a prime example.

SL Friday, 29 December 2017 09:19 PM

Our PM does not uses rain coats! so fine him too

lion Saturday, 30 December 2017 06:37 AM

if it is in our country it is the other way around.

ravin Saturday, 30 December 2017 07:26 AM

Any where there is rule of law there is a progress. This is a good example for our rulers.

Jude Saturday, 30 December 2017 07:39 AM

I believe this is a publicity stunt by PM Turnbull, and he's about to loose next elections and he may go home before that!!??

dinesh Saturday, 30 December 2017 08:49 AM

If our law enforcement authorities are able to enforce the law properly and honestly, then the people and their behaviour will change.

Kumara Dharmarathnr Saturday, 30 December 2017 09:12 AM

I have my doubt that Sri Lanka will produce a politician like him. President and Prime Minister must be a model to the other politicians down the line. We will wait until it happen in Sri lankan politics.

Roshan Saturday, 30 December 2017 11:31 AM

Have we ever seen our PM wearing a helmet when he visits construction sites ? But we all saw him wearing a mask when he visited the Meethotamulla garbage dump yard.

Mason Saturday, 30 December 2017 06:56 PM

This is honest to God justice implementation of first order. Will something like this will EVER happen in Sri Lanka ?!

Yeti Saturday, 30 December 2017 07:49 PM

On a lighter vain: 'Australiyawe ehema unath Lankawe ehema wenne nehe'!

Wije Sunday, 31 December 2017 08:54 PM

In Australia nobody is above the law.

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Aussie PM fined $250 for not wearing a lifejacket

Comments - 20

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