REVEALED: $374m plan to feed Gold Coast school kids free breakfast, lunch

A Gold Coast election candidate has backed a $374 million plan to see free breakfast and lunch rolled out in all schools - but a city councillor has now spoken out about the announcement.

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A NEW $374 million plan unveiled by The Greens would see schools across the Gold Coast and Queensland get free breakfast and lunch.

Greens Burleigh candidate Rachel Mebberson has backed the project, which the party announced would be funded via mining royalties.

The $374 million price tag, paid by the State Government, would cover staff salaries, foodstuffs, equipment and transportation.

Rachel Mebberson (Burleigh). Picture: Tertius Pickard

It would be funded by a Greens’ plan to increase royalties for mining corporations, something they say would raise an extra $55 billion over four years.

Ms Mebberson said the plan would bring much-needed relief to struggling families.

“Right now 170,000 Queensland kids go to school every day without eating breakfast, while hundreds of thousands more don’t get enough food to keep them full during the day,” she said.

“In a state as wealthy as ours, where mining corporations have exported over $480 billion worth of resources in the last 10 years, it is morally wrong that any child should go to school hungry.

“We need to act now to save a generation of kids from crushing poverty.

Thousands of kids across Queensland miss out on breakfast. Picture: Simon Dallinger

“The Greens will make sure every state school student eats a healthy breakfast and lunch.”

The breakfasts would adhere to the Australia Dietary Guidelines outlined by the Australian Government.

The Greens have also announced their plan for a $1.2 billion capital grant fund so state schools can invest in basic infrastructure like fridges as well as expanding kitchen space or eating areas.

The announcement has been met with mixed reaction among residents, with City councillor Glenn Tozer questioning the amount spent.

Cr Tozer said he both represented a dozen schools in the hinterland but also served on the P&C at his sons’ school in Currumbin.

“A $374m allocation to feeding Queensland schoolkids seems a bit misplaced in the context of our state’s priorities,” he said.

“The Greens seem like they’re just looking for something on which to spend their commitment to higher mining royalties.

“Many Queensland school tuckshops already have programs to ensure kids going without can be fed, and their good work, overseen by P&C committees, often supports the school community.

“Why undermine that?

“A better, and greener idea for a similar amount might be a direct investment in resilient tap sensors to monitor water use in school amenities, reducing water waste and bulk water costs.”

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