Life Saving Victoria has backed the state government’s new fence laws to make backyard pools and spas safer – as long as they’re maintained.

However, it’s stressed the importance of children learning how to swim.

Dr Bernadette Matthews, principal research associate from LSV, spoke with Tom Elliott on Friday.

“Nearly 80 per cent of cases in Victoria over the past 10 years where a child has drowned they had a safety barrier but there was a lack of maintenance of the pool fence or gate and that was a contributing factor,” she said on 3AW Drive.

Click PLAY below to hear more on 3AW Drive