School Lunches.

Doing what matters for Queensland kids.

The Miles Government strongly believes in giving our kids the best start in life – and we know they learn best with full tummies.

That’s why, if re-elected, we’ll create a universal school lunch program at State primary schools.
Starting from next year, every parent will have the choice of a healthy free lunch provided Monday to Friday.

The research shows us that being well-fed improves kids’ focus and learning.

This is a policy that will be good for kids, good for teachers, and good for parents.

On average, this will save parents $1,600 a year per primary school student.

Our policy is backed by a commitment to invest $1.4 billion over the next four years - an investment in our State’s future.

Free school lunches don’t just improve the cost of living for parents by lowering grocery bills.

It will improve educational, health and life outcomes – without stigmatising the kids who need it the most and ensuring it supports every Queensland family.

By encouraging more fresh food consumption, we will also support local agricultural producers and help lower childhood obesity, with further benefits to the health system and economy.

It’s also been shown in global studies that kids who have received free school lunches under universal programs have better life outcomes and earn more on average in adulthood. So it’s not only justified by avoiding stigmatisation.

Fundamentally, it’s about greater equality and fairness in the classroom and beyond.

Implementation.

Queensland is diverse, and we know each school and local community is different.

That is why we will co-design delivery with each school community – P&Cs, tuckshops and principals to deliver a tailored model that best fits their school’s needs.

We will establish a new School and Community Food Implementation Taskforce, with representatives from P&Cs, tuckshops, school principals, nutrition professionals, Health & Wellbeing Queensland, NGO food providers, grocery store and supply chain sectors. The Taskforce will assist with consultation and delivery.

Where there are no existing facilities, we will consult with schools and parents about their preference including options for free school lunches through food providers.

We will also fund existing tuckshops and work with P&Cs to ensure revenue from school lunches is not diminished while providing additional lunches to those who want them.

Extra resourcing will also be made available to support the delivery of school lunches.

Nutrition professionals will be an integral part of the implementation. Kids with allergies, and neurodivergent children that have foods they can and can’t eat will be catered for.

Our Record.

This builds on our achievements including:

more than $40 million invested in tuckshop upgrades in 143 schools
$15 million to deliver the School Food program with more than 269,000 students from 623 Queensland State Schools including free breakfasts, lunches, and healthy snacks.
135 School Food Program Coordinators being employed and 88 Queensland state schools receiving a $5,000 contribution to employing a school food coordinator
Free Kindy for four-year-olds, saving families up to $4,600 a year.
A textbook and resource allowance of $155 per student for Years 7 to 10, and $337 per student for Years 11 and 12.
140,000 free laptops for students in Queensland’s most disadvantaged areas.
Share the Dignity vending machines in schools, offering free period products.
Providing free access to mental health support from GPs, psychologists, and other wellbeing professionals.

A re-elected Miles Labor Government will continue doing what matters for our students, staff and school communities, investing $5 billion into our state school infrastructure over the next four years, including for tuckshops.

This is all at risk under the LNP.

David Crisafulli has dismissed this game-changing policy as ‘burgers in schools’.

Last time, the LNP closed 8 schools, cut more than 500 teachers and 700 support staff from our schools – this is what will happen again under an LNP government.

We cannot risk cruel cuts like they did when they were last in government – they can’t be trusted to manage the future of Queensland’s kids.