❓ Mr Rundle asks the Premier to commit to expanding school breakfast and lunch programs. The Premier avoids a direct commitment, instead criticising the Liberal Party's stance on similar programs in Queensland and accusing them of opposing support for food insecure children.
AnsweredQoN 673Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOL STUDENTS —
FOOD INSECURITY
673. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Will the Premier commit to expanding breakfast and lunch programs in our
schools, especially in regional and lower income areas, so that no child starts
their day hungry?
FOOD INSECURITY
673. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Will the Premier commit to expanding breakfast and lunch programs in our
schools, especially in regional and lower income areas, so that no child starts
their day hungry?
AnswerView source ↗
We continue to make sure that we
support schoolchildren, particularly those in low socio-economic areas. We are
working with our charity partners to ensure that they have the supports they
need. I note that just recently, the Premier
of Queensland made a commitment in their upcoming election for a school lunch
program. Hon Steven Miles is doing an outstanding job on behalf of the
people of Queensland, and I wish him all the very best in the upcoming
election. I note that someone was highly critical of these policies. That
person is not in Queensland, but in Western Australia. I refer to none other
than Caroline Di Russo, the president of the Liberal Party, who, in the
cruellest fashion and in a way that thumbed her nose at kids who are going to
school without food in their stomachs, made mocking remarks and belittled the
efforts of the Queensland government's move in this particular area. I assume
that the president of the Liberal Party speaks on behalf of the Liberal Party,
and I assume, as the major partner in the coalition, she will therefore be
reflecting coalition policy—the policies of the Liberals and the
Nationals. We know that Caroline Di Russo, as the president of the Liberal
Party, does not support free lunches.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr R.H. COOK : We have heard her
using mocking tones on this very point. I say to the member for Roe, if you are
concerned about any opposition to these sorts of programs, look no further than
to your right or over your shoulder—or between your shoulder
blades when it comes to this alliance—and take notes. You, my friend,
do not have a friend in relation to this particular issue. The Liberal Party
opposes it. We will continue to do everything we can to make sure that we
support Western Australians who are dealing with the cost of living.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : When you are
ready.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Are you ready,
Deputy Premier? Thanks.
support schoolchildren, particularly those in low socio-economic areas. We are
working with our charity partners to ensure that they have the supports they
need. I note that just recently, the Premier
of Queensland made a commitment in their upcoming election for a school lunch
program. Hon Steven Miles is doing an outstanding job on behalf of the
people of Queensland, and I wish him all the very best in the upcoming
election. I note that someone was highly critical of these policies. That
person is not in Queensland, but in Western Australia. I refer to none other
than Caroline Di Russo, the president of the Liberal Party, who, in the
cruellest fashion and in a way that thumbed her nose at kids who are going to
school without food in their stomachs, made mocking remarks and belittled the
efforts of the Queensland government's move in this particular area. I assume
that the president of the Liberal Party speaks on behalf of the Liberal Party,
and I assume, as the major partner in the coalition, she will therefore be
reflecting coalition policy—the policies of the Liberals and the
Nationals. We know that Caroline Di Russo, as the president of the Liberal
Party, does not support free lunches.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr R.H. COOK : We have heard her
using mocking tones on this very point. I say to the member for Roe, if you are
concerned about any opposition to these sorts of programs, look no further than
to your right or over your shoulder—or between your shoulder
blades when it comes to this alliance—and take notes. You, my friend,
do not have a friend in relation to this particular issue. The Liberal Party
opposes it. We will continue to do everything we can to make sure that we
support Western Australians who are dealing with the cost of living.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : When you are
ready.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Are you ready,
Deputy Premier? Thanks.
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