2024 Qld state election: What you said about Steven Miles, Labor’s free school lunch plan

The more things change the more they stay the same … especially when it comes to free lunches. HAVE YOUR SAY

The more things change the more they stay the same … especially when it comes to free lunches.

Premier Steven Miles’ pledge to spend $1.4bn on free school lunches was immediately slammed by education leaders who questioned the state’s priorities and cast doubt on whether the initiative is even possible.

Queenslanders were also quick to turn off the proposal, with almost 90 per cent in an online poll voting against the plan, despite Mr Miles doubling down on the initiative and insisting most supported it.

Remarkably, the scheme had been dismissed as trying to solve a problem that does not exist when first proposed by the Greens ahead of the 2020 election, and again in 2021.

The fresh criticism of the plan echoes that of senior Labor ministers Grace Grace and now-education Minister Di Farmer who previously rubbished the Greens’ pledge three years ago.

Reader Sophie also took down the proposal when revealed by The Courier-Mail in 2020.

“Free?” Don’t be ridiculous. The taxpayer will pay,” she wrote.

Now it seems little has changed, with Queenslanders again dismissing Labor’s election plan.

“Just a suggestion premier, free dog minding and pool cleaning for us older people,” Herb wrote.

Labor’s Grace Grace and Di Farmer previously rubbished the Greens’ plan for free lunches.

Pictures: Lyndon Mechielsen/David Clark

Read below what Grace Grace said about Green’s free lunch scheme in 2021.

Also see below how the story was revealed in 2020, plus what you said about it – then and now >>>

How it was first reported in 2020

It was revealed on October 7, 2020 that the Queensland Greens were planning to end the age-old axiom that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

The controversial minor party wanted to roll out a free breakfast and lunch program to Queensland’s 570,000 state school students.

Greens leader Michael Berkman said that it would cost $374m each year to ensure Queensland kids did not go hungry while they were trying to learn.

“Kids can’t learn if they don’t eat and right now 170,000 Queensland kids go to school every day without eating breakfast, while hundreds of thousands more don’t get enough to keep them full during the day,” he said.

The ambitious free school breakfast and lunch scheme, which is common in other countries, would receive an additional $1.2bn grant so schools could invest in kitchens and eating areas.

What you said in 2020

Not needed!

Raymond

BIG government proposals yet again. Stay out of our lives. Parents need support but NOT the forced takeover of their rights and responsibilities

Elizabeth

The Greens live in a beautiful and make believe world. Look at what our tax dollars ar work with a certain BCC greenie protesting at Kangaroo Point

Geoff

Wow every child to have a vegan breakfast curtesy of the Greens lol.

Greens MP Michael Berkman was part of the Greens’ plan in 2020. Picture: Liam Kidston

Costings please

Carpe Diem

Can someone get the Greens to verify the costing of the meals?

Ross

Socialism is great until you run out of other people’s money.

Sophie

“Free?” Don’t be ridiculous. The taxpayer will pay. The Greens seem to think there is a money tree at the bottom of the garden. They don’t live in the real world.

Love it

Rusty

Pity the major parties won’t get on board with this initiative. Some very selfish comments here.

Robin

Congratulations Greens you now have my vote.

What Grace Grace said in 2021

In Queensland parliament on April 21, 2021 Education Minister Grace Grace issued this reply to the Greens’ free school lunch proposal, as per the official Queensland Parliament Record of Proceedings (Hansard) transcript:

“I am scratching my head a bit as I try to sort out the exact problem that the Greens are trying to solve here.

“Their $374 million spend is on a take-up rate of only 30 per cent. If everybody were to take it up, we would be talking about $1.16 billion a year.

“ … I am sure the regional members and other members in this House have also witnessed first-hand the excellent programs that are being delivered in our schools right now. They are being delivered.

“ … Basically, we are trying to solve a problem that does not exist but that will cost $1.6 billion. The Greens have not given one skerrick of evidence to suggest that this affects children in schools today — and I see the member for Cook — even in Indigenous areas.

“ … To come up with this half-baked idea of a 30 per cent take-up, on trying to fix a problem — we will expand our program wherever it is needed. People are already receiving this. I do not know of one school community that has come to me in relation to the Greens’ policy. I recommend the amendment to the motion. We are doing a great job in this area.”

What you said in 2024

It’s a joke

Herb

Just a suggestion premier, free dog minding and pool cleaning for us older people.

Susan

Typical brain fart by a desperate Miles. After strongly condemning the same policy put up by the loopy Greens at the last election they now think it’s great.

Farmerp

You going to rent wellcamp again giggles, make the food there and distribute it across qld daily in your jet? Do kids get cake also?

Pat Murphy from the Queensland Association of State Schools Principals. Picture: David Clark

More info

Fedup

Are the meals to school children in all of Queensland, just the large schools, schools over certain number or what?

Kaz

Clearly this is not thought out at all- I’m all for providing lunches for kids, but I think most parents prefer knowing what is in their kids lunch box.

Christine

What will it cost to bring the tuckshops up to health department standards?

Premier Steven Miles holds his party launch at the North Lakes Community Centre on Sunday, making a sandwich with his daughter Bridie on stage. Picture: Adam Head

Bye bye, Labor

john

OMG Giggles – what next? So obvious you have degree on degree but totally lacking in life experience. Queenslanders Please Please Please show Giggles the door in 24 :)

Perry

Oh dear Giggles you have gone from irresponsible to ludicrous with these ideas

George

Another cynical ALP attempt to buy votes with an ill-conceived policy that will add to QLD state debt.

Originally published as 2024 Qld state election: What you said about Steven Miles, Labor’s free school lunch plan