LNP promises $3m for Mackay State High School hall upgrades, Mackay North State High School tuck shop

After Labor promised $1.4bn of funds to give free school lunches to every kid in Queensland, two regional LNP candidates offered a more modest $3m to build a state school tuck shop and fix a hall.

Two Mackay state schools would share $3m in funding to build a tuck shop and upgrade a hall if the LNP is elected on October 26.

Mackay LNP candidate Nigel Dalton and Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm stood outside Mackay State High School and compared it the “palace-looking” nearby Catholic schools, promising state funds to renovate its hall and add airconditioning.
They have said $3m will be on the table between the school and Mackay North State High — which needs a new tuck shop.

LNP Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm (l) with Mackay LNP candidate Nigel Dalton (r) outside Mackay State High School, after promising funds for hall upgrades. Picture: Paul Brescia

It is unclear what the funding split would be, or how much each project would realistically need, with Mr Dalton noting government entity QBuild would need to quote the projects up.

Despite that shortcoming, Ms Camm said the project was costed as part of Shadow Treasurer David Janezki’s full accounting of the LNP’s “plan”.

LNP candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton during a media conference in Mackay. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The Daily Mercury asked when the costings would be released, given voters had already started to cast their ballots that morning.

“As per tradition and requirements the treasurer will release those on the Thursday night before people go to the polls on the Saturday,” Ms Camm said.

Premier Steven Miles on Sunday promised to spend $1.4bn to offer free lunches to every child in state schools, which was costed based on the assumption 70 per cent of kids would opt-in.

LNP commits $20m for upgrades to Mackay-Bucasia Road on October 1, 2024, alongside Mackay's mayor and deputy mayor at the Golf Links Road intersection. (L-R) Nigel Dalton, LNP candidate for Mackay, Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm, Mackay mayor Greg Williamson, LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie, Mackay deputy mayor Karen May).

Ms Camm said the LNP disagreed with that policy, noted successful breakfast and lunch programs for kids already operated in Mackay and pointed to her party’s efforts to target help at disadvantaged kids first.

“We have announced tangible ways, practical ways in which we’re going to support our vulnerable children, our vulnerable families, including investments in social housing.”

Those plans do not include any new funding spent on specifically feeding children.

Mackay State High School P & C President Majella Hoffman said they were very excited to hear about the funding, which would help the multifunctional hall deliver art programs.

“A place for them to keep their equipment, do their presentations and shows would be magical,” Ms Hoffman said.

She said the P & C had not spoken with Labor about the hall upgrades, but they had sent letters out to different groups.