A groundbreaking Australian first law has been introduced in South Australia, making it mandatory for defibrillators to be publicly accessible in a range of public and private buildings. The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2022 was introduced into the Legislative Council on 7 September 2022 and passed both Houses of Parliament on 30 November 2023.
In South Australia, defibrillators are now compulsory fixtures in all public buildings, including educational institutions, libraries, sports facilities, correctional facilities, municipal offices, theaters, and swimming pools. Additionally, privately owned establishments such as shopping centers, aged care facilities, commercial properties exceeding 600 square meters, and specific residential complexes are required to have publicly accessible defibs.
Pictured: RD500 HeartSine Defibrillator
The bill originally proposed by Frank Pangallo in 2019 and subsequently reintroduced in 2022, successfully passed marking a significant advancement in the safety and well-being of South Australians. It also mandates the installation of defibs in all emergency service vehicles, encompassing SAPOL, the Metropolitan Fire Service, the Country Fire Service, and the State Emergency Service.
Australia witnesses over 30,000 cases of cardiac arrest annually, with only one in ten individuals surviving.
Pictured: RD500 HeartSine Defibrillator
The implementation of this legislation marks a pivotal stride in reducing the mortality rate associated with Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the country. The introduction of this law follows the lead of the Victorian Government which in recent years has rolled out more than 1500 new defibrillators to community organisations. It is believed that at least 2 lives per week are saved by the use of AEDs in public locations. Frank Pangallo emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating, "The statistics not only speak for themselves but also paint a very disturbing, very deadly picture." Violators of the new legislation face a maximum fine of $20,000.
Pictured: RD500 HeartSine Defibrillator
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For more information on the The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2022, see the SA Gov Fact Sheet here.