27 August 2012

Katy to bribe the schools to stop selling soft drinks

| johnboy
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Katy Gallagher is promising to offer schools a teeny weeny little bribe in exchange for giving up the ongoing revenues of selling soft drinks to their students:

If re-elected in 2012 ACT Labor will establish a $500,000 fund
to install water bottle refill stations and supply reusable drink bottles to any school that agrees to end the sale of sugary drinks in their school.

Our aim is to completely phase out sugary drinks in ACT primary schools within five years and improve the health of all children.

Government and non-government schools, whether it be primary school, high school or college will be eligible to apply for funding of up to $15,000 to install up to 2 water refill stations and supply re-usable water bottles for each student.

The aim is to phase out the sale of all sugary drinks (like soft drinks, flavoured milk, juices and slushies) in all primary schools by the end of 2017.

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This is, unfortunately, another example of a well-meaning but poorly thought-out solution to an important and difficult problem. And another example of the ‘living in a vacuum’ complex that plagues Canberra decision-makers. How about looking at what’s worked well elsewhere? I am thinking in particular about the approach adopted by some places overseas whereby no specific foods or drinks are prohibited, but requirements are laid down for the nutritional content of anything provided in the schools (including in vending machines). This has prompted the manufacturers to look seriously at the junk they’re pumping out and to reformulated these foods to increase their nutritional value by, for example, reducing the amount of fat, salt and sugar. Wouldn’t that have been a much more satisfactory way of going about things, especially if adopted at a national level?

Very nice. Sounds like a great idea. Got any links to implementation elsewhere? I’m keen to check it out.

This is, unfortunately, another example of a well-meaning but poorly thought-out solution to an important and difficult problem. And another example of the ‘living in a vacuum’ complex that plagues Canberra decision-makers. How about looking at what’s worked well elsewhere? I am thinking in particular about the approach adopted by some places overseas whereby no specific foods or drinks are prohibited, but requirements are laid down for the nutritional content of anything provided in the schools (including in vending machines). This has prompted the manufacturers to look seriously at the junk they’re pumping out and to reformulated these foods to increase their nutritional value by, for example, reducing the amount of fat, salt and sugar. Wouldn’t that have been a much more satisfactory way of going about things, especially if adopted at a national level?

Therein lies the problem ie. there ain’t much oxygen in that there vacuum!

An encouragement*…

johnboy said :

We’re talking about kids. How many lost bottles will need replacing every day?

Especially in the new weakling culture where no living being can endure without a swing on the water bottle every five seconds.

In the decade I have been a teacher, there has always been encouragement to bring a water bottle, especially through the Summer months. This is especially important in some schools that lack climate control; or lack working climate control, where temps skirt upper 30s. In encouragement to bring in water bottles is no new thing. The common supermarket-variety Decor bottle is less than $2; hardly purse-destroying; even if it needs to be replaced a few times through the year.

While I think the water stations are a good idea provided they are robust enough to withstand the vandalism that rendered the bubblers of my youth unusable, I don’t approve of attempting to eradicate drinks that Ms Gallagher doesn’t like.

Ban them, and the kids will bring their own or leave the grounds to get them, doubly so because now it’s illicit and cool.
Nothing wrong with a bit of sugar in moderation, but apparently Labor think this should be a binary choice.

They shouldn’t bring this into colleges. What good is a goon sack, a stick, and some prescription pills without a can of coke to wash it all down?

johnboy said :

We’re talking about kids. How many lost bottles will need replacing every day?

Especially in the new weakling culture where no living being can endure without a swing on the water bottle every five seconds.

I haven’t read all the above posts (I’m lazy!) so are you hinting that:
a) Bubblers are a better option as they wouldn’t need a bottle (that they will lose daily?), or
b) They should be able to buy a water bottle (with included water) every day instead, and stuff the bubblers/refill stations? Or
c) Something else?

In my experience, my kids haven’t lost a bottle yet, but we’re only a couple of years in! We’ve replaced them a couple of times, but none have been lost. They’re about as expensive as a lunchbox (about the cost of a bottle of water at a shop). No big deal really.

As for the filter/chilled options etc, they could always ask UC how reliable and popular they are, since they have had them for a while?

God, all these problems! It’s amazing humans have survived up to this point! Hahahaha!

johnboy said :

Especially in the new weakling culture where no living being can endure without a swing on the water bottle every five seconds.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who has noticed this.

The public water dispensers are hard plumbed and wired and deliver chilled or tepid filtered water or tepid tap water and if you have the optioned model you can also get carbonated water.

Sports water bottles cost less than a bottle of water from a shop or servo.

colourful sydney racing identity2:20 pm 28 Aug 12

johnboy said :

We’re talking about kids. How many lost bottles will need replacing every day?

Especially in the new weakling culture where no living being can endure without a swing on the water bottle every five seconds.

ah. I would assume that there would be one given out and then they would have to replace it if lost?

colourful sydney racing identity1:58 pm 28 Aug 12

johnboy said :

Bubblers need maintenance which is a black flag to government wary of ongoing costs.

Water bottles however need constant replacement and can be a revenue stream. Yippee.

surely these are plumbed rather than reliant on bottles????Surely….

We’re talking about kids. How many lost bottles will need replacing every day?

Especially in the new weakling culture where no living being can endure without a swing on the water bottle every five seconds.

chewy14 said :

Pfft,
If they really want to make a difference, they should weigh every child and base extra funding and teacher bonuses on the percentage of obese children in each class.

Do you honestly believe teachers are responsible for kids presented before them being fat? In ANY way? We have several students turn up to school with their energy drinks in hand.

johnboy said :

Bubblers need maintenance which is a black flag to government wary of ongoing costs.

The damage that bubblers receive at schools is staggering. At a High School I worked at, all but a handful of the bubblers were damaged one weekend, several years ago. They have, to date, never been fixed or replaced – the school simply cannot afford them (along with many other aspects of the school environment). Bubblers are not cheap tap fittings, either.

Clearly, a water-bottle filling station would be more than “a tap” – probably having chiller and filter facilities. But there is one more thing schools will be responsible for maintaining within their school based management funding.

Honestly, I don’t see the problem with kids having access to “sugary drinks” as a treat at school; the big problem for “the fatties” is the unhealthy lifestyle and attitudes promoted at home – and NOTHING schools do will ever rectify a lifetime of poor parenting practices.

cmdwedge said :

I wonder if the Human Rights Commissioner will have something to say? She was a bit uppity about those shops refusing to serve high school kids during school hours – http://the-riotact.com/liberals-to-strip-discrimination-protection-to-target-waggers-with-poll/55167

Apparently not serving kids wagging school was breaching their ‘human rights’. Surely stopping kids from having a choice about what they drink during school hours is also a breach of the same rights?

They can have a choice. Cold filtered water, (healthier) fruit juices, smoothies.

Subway aren’t breaching your human right if you go in there and they don’t offer a Big Mac on the menu. This is no different.

Mr Evil said :

So, if schools are being told that they have to be weened off fizzy drink revenue, when is Labor going to ween itself off poker machine revenue????

never!!! they need the punters to fund the machine.

I wonder if the Human Rights Commissioner will have something to say? She was a bit uppity about those shops refusing to serve high school kids during school hours – http://the-riotact.com/liberals-to-strip-discrimination-protection-to-target-waggers-with-poll/55167

Apparently not serving kids wagging school was breaching their ‘human rights’. Surely stopping kids from having a choice about what they drink during school hours is also a breach of the same rights?

colourful sydney racing identity11:13 am 28 Aug 12

rosscoact said :

Great idea.

Stop supporting the provision of sugar to children through the school system by providing an alternative that people want.

If you ignore what people want i.e. cold filtered water delivered in an hygenic way (didn’t we just have a thread about urine in bubblers?) by saying use a tap, what chance have we of changing behaviour?

Government has an obligation to the community to do the right thing and not actively adding to obesity is the right thing to do.

+1

Great idea.

Stop supporting the provision of sugar to children through the school system by providing an alternative that people want.

If you ignore what people want i.e. cold filtered water delivered in an hygenic way (didn’t we just have a thread about urine in bubblers?) by saying use a tap, what chance have we of changing behaviour?

Government has an obligation to the community to do the right thing and not actively adding to obesity is the right thing to do.

A labor “shush’ie” fund :), poor kiddies paying $15k for 2 taps.:(

johnboy said :

Water bottles however need constant replacement and can be a revenue stream. Yippee.

Maybe we can get coca-cola to sponsor the schools to provide branded bottles. win win

You don’t need reusable bottles. Just install bubblers around the place that actually work… that don’t dribble out water.

Bubblers need maintenance which is a black flag to government wary of ongoing costs.

Water bottles however need constant replacement and can be a revenue stream. Yippee.

Katy heres an old idea that worked well in the past. Its called a bubbler.

joingler said :

Once a kid gets to college, they should be able to choose freely. Despite what most of society thinks, they are capable of looking after themselves

Not to mention most of the students would probably just go off campus to get their hit of junk(food).

damien haas said :

I may not be a plumber, but $7500 to install a tap does seem a little high.

I am guessing (though I have no definite information) that these chill the water and may also filter it (to avoid the common issues like legionaries). For that price I would certainly expect it. If it’s just spitting out warm, chlorine tasting tap water in the middle of summer – pass.

I may not be a plumber, but $7500 to install a tap does seem a little high.

Not so bad a policy as long as it is done right.

The ‘bottle refill stations’ can be installed much cheaper as a tap. If they do want to get fancy, why not pay for a fridge with a water filter inside for each year group? It’ll be cheaper than $15K per school and the kids could use it to keep their food in. They could also be used for cooking classes. Power bills may go up but wouldn’t be too significant.They could be turned off over weekends and school holidays.

Once a kid gets to college, they should be able to choose freely. Despite what most of society thinks, they are capable of looking after themselves

Flavoured milk shouldn’t be lumped with coca cola, it actually has some nutritious content. I was raised on that stuff, and I turned out healthy. Bloody wowsers.

So, if schools are being told that they have to be weened off fizzy drink revenue, when is Labor going to ween itself off poker machine revenue????

housebound said :

“water refill stations”

Also known as taps.

THIS. What a stupendous waste of time and money.

This is somewhat of a band aid fix given that the obesity problem stems from poor parenting.While one may not be able to acquire sugary drinks at school they’ll get plenty at home!

How_Canberran6:44 pm 27 Aug 12

Katy, Katy, Katy. Your cringe-worthy initiative makes me reminisce for my primary school lunches of the 60’s. Oh for that pie with sauce, a can of Coke and fresh cream bun.

Funny, we didn’t have to trade off anything for our water ‘bubblers’ back then!

And while I’m at it, bring back Empire Day!

How Canberran.

Pfft,
What a silly policy.

If they really want to make a difference, they should weigh every child and base extra funding and teacher bonuses on the percentage of obese children in each class. It will make PE classes extra fun for those lazy fatties.

“water refill stations”

Also known as taps.

I promise not to dilute my vodka. Could I have some money now?

I can see this in primary schools and maybe high schools, but colleges? Come on. What will the stoners spend all their money on?

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