Media Release

The Brumby Government’s uncaring attitude to child obesity has been exposed in State Parliament today by Liberal Member for Kilsyth David Hodgett. Mr Hodgett asked in Parliament why less than seven months after promising to devote its resources to “health promotion”, the Brumby Government had slashed funding for a practical child fitness program.

“Labor claims that it supports the fight against child obesity, but then shows it doesn’t care about the health of Victorian children by cutting funding for the Walking School Bus program,” Mr Hodgett said.

“This valuable program encourages children to walk to school, thereby tackling child obesity and promoting healthy and environmentally conscious living.

“The fight against child obesity is vital for the future of Victoria, yet John Brumby and his Ministers don’t seem to care.”

The government is currently promoting ‘Walktober’, a month dedicated to endorsing walking as a means of travel, yet this month only dedicates one specific day to encouraging children to walk to school while the Walking School Bus Program devotes several days per week to such encouragement.

“This is a very weak position by the government – cutting funding to the Walking School Bus program while showing a token level of commitment to battling childhood obesity,” Mr Hodgett said.

“Labor clearly has a miserly approach to childhood obesity. Pinching pennies by cutting funding to the Walking School Bus might save a few dollars, but won’t help our children,” Mr Hodgett said.

“John Brumby is clearly more interested in token announcements instead of practical measures to fight childhood obesity or saving money,” Mr Hodgett said.