Queensland Premier Promises Free School Lunches

Queensland Premier Steven Miles announced a $1.4 billion initiative to provide free healthy lunches to over 326,000 primary school students, aiming to save parents up to $1,600 per child annually. This policy is part of Labor's election strategy to regain support ahead of the October 26 polls, amidst concerns of a potential loss to the Liberal National Party. Miles emphasized the program's long-term benefits, including reducing social inequality and improving children’s health, and it will be implemented in collaboration with various food providers. Critics, including LNP's Jarrod Bleijie and Small Business Women Australia founder Amanda Rose, have dismissed the proposal as a populist tactic, highlighting that there is no such thing as a 'free lunch'. The announcement follows a series of other cost-of-living measures from the Labor government. Early voting begins tomorrow, intensifying the election competition.