Changing laws: Kelly Taylor was grateful for the chance to spend a few hours talking to Local Government Minister Don Page and Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies to ensure backyard pools comply with regulations.
Changing laws: Kelly Taylor was grateful for the chance to spend a few hours talking to Local Government Minister Don Page and Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies to ensure backyard pools comply with regulations.
A ST MARYS mum will fight for proposed changes to backyard pool laws to be named in honour of her son.
Kelly Taylor met with Local Government Minister Don Page last week to discuss proposed changes as a result of the government's discussion paper on the Swimming Pools Act.
This was done in consultation with councils, water safety advocates, pool owners and industry organisations.
In February, the Star exclusively reported Ms Taylor's heartbreaking story about her son Jaise, who was found in the backyard pool of a rental home near Port Stephens while on holidays from Queensland on September 27, 2010.
Jaise, 2, died two days later.
The new laws covering the state's 340,000 backyard swimming pools will include a compulsory new statewide register, certification of pools as compliant, mandatory inspections before a property with a pool can be sold or leased, and mandatory periodic inspection of pools associated with tourist accommodation and unit blocks.
Ms Taylor welcomed the proposed law changes but has concerns about self-certification.
It's believed Jaise had stood on the pool gate, which gave way because of a broken latch.
"A fence could look fine to you or me but it may not be compliant," she said.
"It has to be properly checked. But a big bite has been taken out of the issue, which means the little things can be tweaked along the way."
She told Mr Page she wants the new laws to be known as Jaise's Law when passed in parliament.
"I'm the only NSW parent that has put themselves out there and spoken publicly about their child's drowning death," Ms Taylor said.
"It's opened me up to criticism as I left Jaise out of my sight for two minutes. I want to put a face to the laws so Jaise's death wasn't in vain."
Mr Page didn't rule out the suggestion and invited Ms Taylor to parliament to listen to his speech on the new laws when parliament resumes.
She also has the support of Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies.
"I thank and admire Kelly for the courage she has shown in the face of personal tragedy to pursue positive change for the benefit of others," Mrs Davies said.
It's been a tough few weeks for Ms Taylor with the recent anniversary of Jaise's death, and last Thursday being National Day of Drowning Prevention, Awareness and Support.
She's a member of Hannah's Foundation — Drowning Prevention, Awareness and Support, a charity founded by Queenslanders Andrew and Kat Plint after their daughter Hannah drowned. Ms Taylor vows to continue her campaign.
Should the new laws be known as Jaise's Law? Comment at stmarysstar.com.au.