CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms WHITE (Lyons—Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health) (16:05): I rise today to celebrate Deloraine High School and its OzHarvest FEAST program. I had the great joy of visiting recently and meeting with student leaders and the broader class to talk about the work they're doing to understand food waste.

As they were performing and cooking in the classroom, I was just so impressed by the way they communicated and worked together as part of a team and what they've learnt about food waste in Australia. The FEAST program is delivered through OzHarvest. Ronni Kahn, the founder, was at the school, along with Jenn Heggart, the OzHarvest state manager for Tasmania.

Through that program delivered by their classroom teacher, Leanne Wickham, they were taught that 2.1 million households are experiencing food insecurity and regularly skipping meals, and that Australia wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food every year. They also learnt that that's enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground more than nine times. So, through the FEAST program, they are understanding how to use the items in their home, which they might have otherwise thrown out, to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their loved ones.

And the kids were doing a great job! I was so impressed with their behaviour and the way they were really engaging and learning about the subject matter. They were having a lot of fun while doing it.

And they made some terrific, tasty-looking cupcakes. We know that food waste is a really significant issue in our country. Our government is responding by developing a national food security strategy, which is an initiative delivered through the Minister for Agriculture's portfolio, but we're also responding to provide food relief to Australians, with a $460 million commitment over five years, so that we can support those most at risk.

I congratulate these students for learning how to use food waste and turn it into nutritious meals. I also want to congratulate the Brighton Robbins Football Club, where I attended an event recently. We had a ladies day to raise money for Tassie Mums, a charitable organisation in my state that helps to collect and redistribute essential baby and children's items to families who are experiencing hardship.

Chelsea was the MC for the day. She did a marvellous job. The panel included Holly McConnon, the Karana TNL co-captain; Lauren Dykes, the Brighton senior women's captain; Kath McCann, the Chief Marketing Officer for the Tasmania Football Club; and myself.

We spoke about some of the challenges that women face playing sport, particularly participating in the higher premier league sport. We also spoke about the opportunities and the brilliant relationships and friendships that are created. I congratulate the club for putting this on and giving us the chance to talk about this.

I also congratulate them on the supportive and inclusive culture they've built that has seen a lot of girls participate in premier league footy for the very first time and for the great role modelling they are demonstrating to girls who are watching and cheering them on. Well done to the Brighton Robbins Football Club.