PORTABLE pools are disasters waiting to happen and should be banned from Australian shelves, according to Commerce Minister Bill Johnston.

Mr Johnston slammed the pools and retailers who stock them ahead of a national campaign to warn people of their dangers.

The campaign, which begins on Thursday, will involve major retailers and provide people with point-of-sale information and warnings about the risks and legal obligations in setting up the pools.

A WA Ombudsman investigation found four children drowned in portable pools in WA — a quarter of the 16 WA child drownings in private pools between 2009 and 2015.

Mr Johnston told The Sunday Times he believed the “quite sophisticated” but affordable portable pools should not be sold in Australia.

But he said changing consumer laws needed support from all States and Territories and the Commonwealth.

He said while adult supervision and accountability were critical to pool safety, retailers also had a big responsibility, and some were shirking it.

He believed some were shirking that responsibility.

Camera Icon Minister for Commerce Bill Johnston. Credit: Matt Jelonek

“Nobody is going to buy a $500 pool if they also need to build a $2000 fence.

“My view is that retailers have been taking advantage of people in this circumstance.

“I’ve written to every retailer we can work out sells portable pools and encouraged them to no longer do it.

“Many of them acknowledge the point I’m making, but don’t agree.

“I don’t understand why a reputable national retailer with billions of dollars of turnover is worried about a $500 plastic pool.

“It doesn’t make sense to me.

“I don’t see how there won’t be a tragedy arising from this practice.”

Under WA law, a barrier has to erected around any “pool” deeper than 30cm, while a building permit is needed for a portable pool or spa that remains set up for more than a month.

With in-ground pools, the installer has to ensure there is adequate fencing.

But nothing exists to ensure portable pools are fenced. Some of the portable pools come with filtration systems, meaning in many cases they can remain set up and filled with water throughout summer.

Tragedy struck in December 2015 when toddler Eli Wirangi almost drowned in a portable pool set up each summer by his grandparents in Noranda. He survived, but suffered irreversible and catastrophic brain damage. In December last year after a two-year battle, Eli died just shy of his fourth birthday.

Camera Icon Phillipa Wirangi with son Eli, who died following a two-year battle with brain damage after almost drowning in a portable pool.

His mother, Phillipa Wirangi, said portable pools did not need to be banned, but people needed to be more aware of how dangerous they could be if children were unsupervised.

“They are fun and things themselves don’t hurt or kill people,” she said. “Human negligence and human error does.”

Mr Johnston said the awareness campaign was the “first step” to stronger action.

“At this stage, the other States don’t support an outright ban like I would,” he said. “But I’m personally determined to see further action.”

The Sunday Times contacted Clark Rubber, Target, Kmart, Big W and Bunnings, which all sell portable pools.

Big W had introduced point-of-sale information on inflatable pools and rolled out additional pool-safety training material to staff.

Bunnings said it was committed to providing products fit for purpose and safe when used correctly.