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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-04-09 Daily Xml
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HEALTHY EATING PROGRAM

Mr PISONI (Unley) (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Education and Children's Services. Does the minister stand by her answer to a question on notice in relation to anticipated financial problems for canteens associated with the 'Eat Well' program and that:

There is no evidence that the implementation of the Healthy Eating Guidelines—and hence the removal of unhealthy food—will result in a financial loss for schools.

Despite the acknowledged importance of promoting healthy eating habits for our children, schools have indicated a lack of resourcing to properly implement the program. A study by Dr Claire Drummond from Flinders University has confirmed this. Morphett Vale High School and Parkside Primary School, in my own electorate of Unley, have now been forced to close their canteens, the lack of support to implement the new Healthy Eating program being blamed for the closure.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education and Children's Services, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:19): I thank the member for Unley for his question. It is a pity that he does always seek to talk down public education. When I visited Unley Primary School they were overwhelmed with the success. The students were promoting healthy eating and lauding the change and saying the food was much better than they had ever had before. It is clearly a complex issue. We, like many parts of the world, face an extraordinary number of obese—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the minister is obviously confused; I did not mention Unley Primary School. Parkside Primary School have closed their canteen.

The SPEAKER: Order! I do not uphold the point of order. The Minister for Education.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: The world faces an unprecedented number and expansion of the percentage of young people with obesity. I think I am probably one of the last generations that can look forward to living longer than my parents, and the next generations of young people can, I think, be sure at this point in time that they will be dying after a shorter life than their parents.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Unley!

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: I think this shocking revelation is enough to shake everyone into action, and doing nothing is not an option. Much as the member for Unley would like to see school children eating Chiko Rolls and greasy chips and extending their waistlines, getting diabetes and dying young, this government takes the problem of obesity very seriously. We recognise that the problem is an across-government issue, and we work closely with health and education.

We feel very proud of the initiatives that have involved community action, education, teaching, and ensuring that children—whether they are in childcare, preschool or school—have a healthy environment. Banning junk food in schools is a good issue, a good measure and a good step forward. The member for Unley has done nothing but criticise healthy eating programs. He has criticised the programs that have worked so well in Unley Primary School, he has criticised the programs—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: He has criticised the programs that have been successful. I agree that it is possible to find some schools in which there has been a struggle, but we have spent a year educating canteen staff, training communities, and working with providers and suppliers to help them provide healthy food. We have had a year of workshops and support. If there is a school that wants additional help and support, we will give it to them.

The reality is that doing nothing is not an option. There are plenty of schools that have said they have made more money, their children are more attentive, more active and more alert, because of our healthy eating initiatives. These include not just banning junk food, of course, but also having a massive program of education—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Is the minister finished?

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: Thank you, sir. Members opposite are not listening so I may as well sit down.

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