Address to the House of Representatives, Adjournment - Parliamentary Friends of Nutrition

Thursday 27 June 2024

Earlier this week the Parliamentary Friends of Nutrition came together to discuss healthy lunch boxes for kids. It was great to see participation from the members for Fowler and Hunter—there's a contrast!—as well as Senator Colbeck in packing a healthy kids lunch and being judged by the very serious Miss Sienna. The broader event discussed the importance of healthy food choices in the context of early childhood education and care. Dietitians Australia have emphasised the importance of providing healthy food options for children in early childhood and education care settings.

I'd like to remind the House of three important tips for better school lunch box nutrition: (1) look for the health star rating displayed on the front of food packages and select products with a high rating; (2) keep food safe by using an insulated lunch box and packing in an ice brick; and, finally, make the lunch box fun and interesting, doing small things like making fun-shaped sandwiches, fruit or vegetables—potentially advice that we could bring into this parliament as well! But, seriously, if we can address nutritional issues at an early age, we can set children up for a healthier adulthood, and that's something that we should all be supporting in this House.