http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/13081321/bligh-promises-free-swimming...Anna Bligh has promised more money to help reduce the number of children drowning in Queensland, if she wins the next election.
The Premier is spending the day in the state's south-east where she has promised almost $80 million over the next three years to teach children to swim.
Ms Bligh made the announcement in the marginal south Brisbane seat of Mansfield, which Sports Minister Phil Reeves holds by 4.5 per cent.
Under the pledge, 400,000 children under four years of age would be given 10 free swimming lessons.
The lessons will teach toddlers buoyancy and survival skills and the program would start on July 1 if Labor is re-elected.
Parents will have to sign up over the phone or online to receive a voucher to use at their local swimming class.
Ms Bligh says the program will help save lives.
"All of the experts tell us that 10 lessons from an accredited instructor set the foundation for children to have water confidence and to go on and become better swimmers and safer around water," she said.
She has spent much of her time on the campaign releasing education policy and says it will continue to be a key focus.
Meanwhile, Campbell Newman has today launched the LNP's official campaign.
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