That was news to me (no pun intended).

I hadnt heard of a accident for a dozen years. From waht i read, it seems VIC has different rules to QLD if people only have to do a written test before jumping into or on any watercraft. Thats plain silly... People up here do both mandatory Boat and Jetski licences combined (mandatory to have both licences) before they just jump on a jetski or any boat. The water police up here are very strict, but i think like anything, most accidents are caused by the idiots/or novices who dont consider safety practices. Jet skis or boats should never be allowed to exceed the 4 knot speed limit anywhere near swimmers. I never ride in a busy area. Its common sense. I am not sure which has the worse safety record, boats or skis, but its idiots who ruin it for most. Anything powered is dangerous in the wrong hands, just look at cars. I feel safer jetski-ing than i do on the roads most days. people cant drive for sh*t....

That one accident on the Gold Coast u mentioned via the news post, at the Jet-ski racing Nationals isnt a huge surprise because jetski racing is extremely dangerous. I did it for years, and the trouble is, u come off infront of a dozen or two jetskis which all weigh 300 plus kilograms doing 120 kilometres per hour, and u better have luck on your side, but this may have been a freak accident, i am not sure, Its the first racing death I had heard of.....probably not spoken of alot in the jetski circles...but all racing is dangerous ofcourse.

Either way, everything has its goods or bads, but jetski recreational use by responsible people is very safe and alot of fun, safety, brains and education permitting.

http://www.myboat.net.au/Courses/same-day-boat-jetski-licences

and

http://www.jswpowersports.com.au/seadoo_gtr-215.html