- Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull being investigated for not wearing a lifejacket
- He was spotted on a small boat near his home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
- Mr Turnbull has apologised but could still face a $250 fine as a result
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is being investigated after he was spotted without a lifejacket while on a boat near his home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
He was photographed on board a rigid inflatable boat near his home in Point Piper on Wednesday, wearing a red rash shirt but not a lifejacket.
The Prime Minister could be facing a $250 fine for failing to wear a lifejacket, and he took to Facebook to explain himself.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is being investigated after he was spotted without a lifejacket while on a boat near his home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
He was photographed on board a rigid inflatable boat near his home in Point Piper on Wednesday, wearing a red rash shirt but not a lifejacket
‘I was moving an inflatable dinghy from a jetty into the beach – only about 20 metres and always very close to the shore,’ he said.
‘I wasn’t wearing a lifejacket, but as NSW Maritime explained to me today when I called them, because I was in the dinghy alone, even for that very short distance the NSW regulations required me to wear one.
‘The rules can often seem very technical, but they are there to keep us safe and we should all comply with them.
‘So lesson learned; I will make sure I always wear a lifejacket in my dinghy regardless of how close I am to the shore, just as I always do on my kayak.’
Mr Turnbull has apologised but could still face a $250 fine as a result
He shared a link to the Maritime Safety rules regarding lifejackets in New South Wales.
Roads and Maritime Services have launched an investigation into the incident after they became aware of the photo of Mr Turnbull.
Lifejackets must be worn in the state on vessels under 4.8m when boating alone.