Rudd’s priorities all wrong – he scraps after school activities program, but finds $38 million for mining tax campaign

May 31, 2010

The hypocrisy of the Rudd Government has once again been exposed, following revelations that funding for the Active After-school Communities (AASC) program will cease at the end of this year.

Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said more than 1000 students from Kempsey to Yamba would be affected by the axing of funding.  “Once again Kevin Rudd has been caught out being all talk and no action – this time on his so called ‘war on obesity’. The AASC provides primary school-aged children with access to free sport and other structured physical activity programs in the after-school time slot of 3.00pm to 5.30pm.

“The program aims to engage traditionally inactive children in sport and other physical activities, and through a positive and fun experience, inspires them to join a local sporting club. The Rudd Government has announced that funding for this program concludes at the end of this year.”

Mr Hartsuyker said Kevin Rudd’s rhetoric on obesity and encouraging healthy living had not been matched with action.  "Physical activity can play a major role in maintaining healthy body weight and reducing the chances of developing heart disease and diabetes. Some children are not spending as much time engaged in physical activity, particularly after school, as children in previous generations.  There are studies which suggest that about 40 per cent of children are missing out on outside school hours sporting activity.

“It is beyond belief that Kevin Rudd can find $38 million in emergency funds for an advertising campaign over a great big new mining tax, yet students across the North Coast are being starved of funds to keep this healthy initiative alive.  The Rudd Government clearly has its priorities wrong. It has a bottomless bucket to serve its political means, but it can’t find the funds to support positive health programs.”