My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the education minister to join me at a school breakfast club in the Glen Waverley electorate to serve brekkie to our local students.
In recent weeks we have surpassed a great milestone, with over 40 million meals served to Victorian kids thanks to the Allan Labor government’s breakfast clubs. It is a huge milestone, because breakfast for Victorian schoolkids is more than just a yummy meal; it means students improve their concentration levels, they achieve higher academic results and socialise better with their peers. It is an absolute no-brainer, and I am proud to be part of the Allan Labor government that is funding it. But it has not always been this way, because back when the Liberals were in government they cut the education maintenance allowance, cutting support for Victorian students and their families. But we are backing it, because kids in the Glen Waverley district deserve nothing less. It is great news for families too, as we support them by lowering the cost of living.
But it is not the only way we are delivering that relief. Our terrific schools in the Glen Waverley district also host Smile Squad to deliver free dental care for kids. There is also our Glasses for Kids program delivering free specs for our young Victorians as well. Combined these programs are saving Victorian families hundreds while ensuring kids get the best possible education with full bellies, healthy teeth and focused eyes.
I am paraphrasing Andrew Clark from The Breakfast Club here when I say the Victorian Liberals could disappear forever and it wouldn’t make a difference – I am sure it was something like that. Only Labor is committed to supporting Victorian families with the cost of living.
Minister’s Response:
The Victorian Government is continuing to invest in important preventative health programs, including the School Breakfast Clubs Program, Smile Squad and Glasses for Kids, supporting families and students with cost-of-living pressures.
The School Breakfast Clubs Program provides students with free, healthy and nutritious meals, helping them get the most out of the school day. The program makes a significant contribution to 1,000 school communities across the state, building positive connections between students, families and staff.
The Victorian Government has invested $77 million in the School Breakfast Clubs Program since 2016 and in the 2023 -24 State Budget, committed to continue delivery for another 4 years, taking total investment up to $140.4 million. The program recently served its 40 millionth meal.
Across the Monash and Whitehorse City Council areas in the Glen Waverley district, almost 470,000 meals have been delivered in 25 government schools, with over 1,000 students benefiting directly from the program every week. Many of these students also access lunches and take-home food packs available to families experiencing vulnerability throughout the school term and during the school holiday periods.
$321 million has been invested in Smile Squad since 2019, giving students in all Victorian government schools, access to free checkups and dental treatments, and ensuring students are getting critical early oral care they need and saving parents time and money. In 2023, Smile Squad provided care to more than 47,000 students across the state. A further $17 million investment was committed in 2023/24 State Budget to expand the program to all low-fee independent and Catholic schools from 2026.
The Glasses for Kids program provides free vision screening, and if needed, further testing and free glasses to participating government school students in Prep – Year 3. Funding is provided to State Schools’ Relief to deliver Glasses for Kids to students from Victorian government schools identified with high levels of disadvantage. Since 2015, $2.1 million has been invested in Glasses for Kids and in the 2023-24 State Budget, committed to continue delivery for another 4 years, taking the total investment up to $5.0 million. Over 5,700 pairs of glasses have so far been provided to participating students.
The Hon. Ben Carroll MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Education
Minister for Medical Research
