Tasmanian Labor has promised free and healthy lunches for all primary school children if elected.
Initially proposed in 2021, the program has been budgeted at $31.8 million over six years and is estimated to save families with two children up to $4,000 a year.
Labor Leader Rebecca White says improving kids wellbeing and saving families money is one of their top priorities as the cost of living bites.
“We also know that two thirds of teachers have reported seeing students coming to school hungry,” she said.
“Labor’s free school lunches plan will support children’s development and learning, concentration levels, behaviour and school achievement.
The program will be implemented in stages by 2030, with each phase involving 20 schools and an annual expenditure of approximately $6 million.
Michael Ferguson for the Liberals has raised concerns about Labor’s cost estimations, arguing that there is “no such thing as a free school lunch”.
“Labor needs to reveal how many teachers or school support staff it will cut to pay for its wildly expensive school lunches promise,” he said.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government started the school lunch programme, rolling it out in a sustainable, affordable way ensuring schools determine the best fit to suit their circumstances.”
“Parents should brace for cuts to school budgets as Labor scrambles to find the money to pay for its latest unfunded promise.”
