Wednesday, 19 March 2025

Ministers statements: school breakfast clubs

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:11): Just like a cruise ship needs fuel to travel from Brisbane to Airlie Beach, our kids need fuel to concentrate and work hard at school. Today the Premier and I visited Brunswick East Primary School, who have joined more than 1000 schools across our state delivering the school breakfast program. You know what, thanks to the last budget, we invested $20 million on top of the $160 million invested in this program, which is not only supporting the kids but supporting the parents with an important cost-of-living measure.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Nepean can leave the chamber for half an hour. The Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Nepean and Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs withdrew from chamber.

Ben CARROLL: Those opposite might not be interested in this. They may have missed their breakfast or indeed missed their lunch, because we know the former leaders are working so hard they never got –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are an opportunity for the minister to countenance policy decisions, not attack the opposition, and I would ask you to ask him to desist doing so.

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister to come back to his ministers statement without attacking the opposition.

Ben CARROLL: We are very proud of our school breakfast program. While some of those opposite might have been enjoying the Royal Caribbean ship Quantum of the Seas – I have got a copy of their menu here –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I think the minister is defying your ruling on attacking the opposition. I would ask you to ask him again to desist doing so.

The SPEAKER: The minister will come back to his statement without attacking the opposition.

Ben CARROLL: While today the Premier and I were serving Vegemite on toast and honey on toast, Quantum of the Seas was serving French crepes with Italian hazelnut spread; the member for Bulleen’s favourite, lobster scrambled eggs; and the member for Hawthorn’s favourite, honeymoon eggs, because the honeymoon is over.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Sunbury can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Sunbury withdrew from chamber.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister is again defying your ruling. Whilst we are probably all happy to hear what people’s breakfast options are, the minister is defying your ruling.

The SPEAKER: I ask you to make your points of order succinct. The minister has concluded.