Australia is one of the few developed countries which does not provide free school lunches. Unfortunately, this means that many children are going to school hungry so they cannot concentrate on learning. Many can probably not afford tuckshop meals, either, and, unless they have vastly improved, tuckshops  often don't provide healthy or nutritious food. It is no wonder that results are declining! According to Wikipedia, research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the National Centre for Social Research, free school meals for all students significantly increases attainment in schools.

I have long admired the English system of providing free meals for children who are aged five to seven. We should divert some welfare payments to providing healthy and nutritious meals for infant children to ensure that children can focus on their school work and improve their capacity to learn.

There is a charity providing food to school children but there should not be a need for this in Australia. Free school lunches have a long history in England and it is long past time for them to be introduced here!

Please sign my petition!