Media Release
Shadow Health
Minister, Jo-Ann Miller, says Education Minister, John-Paul Langbroek, should be
ashamed to show his face on Tuckshop Day after his government cut $30,000 in
funding to Queensland Association of School Tuckshops (QAST).
“Today is
Tuckshop Day, showcasing the hard work thousands of volunteers perform at
schools across our state,” Mrs Miller said.
“I see in
today’s media the Education Minister is wringing some personal publicity out of
the day without breathing a word of his government disgraceful cut to the
funding for QAST.
“He should
not be grinning for the cameras, he should be hanging his head in
shame.
“The
scrapping of the funds in the State Budget was a slap in the face to the
volunteer mums and dads who gave up their time to help operate and provide
healthy food in school tuckshops.
“The slashing
of this $30,000 in QAST funding has happened despite the Treasurer Tim Nicholls
finding $3.5 million in his first Budget as a first instalment for planning the
Premier’s pet project — a new Executive Building in Brisbane’s
CBD.
“The LNP can
find money to build a monument to the Premier and his Ministers in Brisbane but
they can’t find $30,000 to support a group providing healthy eating advice to
Queensland children.
“The
government can also find $65,000 for charter flights to shuttle the Deputy
Premier to and from his home, or the equivalent of $260,000 a
year.
“But the LNP
Government can’t manage to find $30,000 for the Queensland Association of School
Tuckshops that provides important advice to tuckshop volunteers about allergies,
food safety, nutrition and recipe ideas.
“The small
investment of $30,000 in QAST is a future investment in the health of our
children.
“By providing
healthy food options for our children QAST are helping to prevent childhood
obesity and other health related issues
“The Premier
and his LNP Government are putting themselves and their own comfort ahead of the
health and safety of Queensland school children,” Mrs Miller
said
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