A 1970s health campaign will be rebooted for a new century to get Victorians off the couch and into life, if the Liberal-Nationals win the state election.
The coalition will bring cartoon character Norm and his family from 'Life. Be in it' out of retirement, blaming "out-of-control population growth" for increased time in traffic and less time for recreation.
"With half of all adults and a third of all kids in Victoria overweight or obese, a comprehensive and sustained campaign to promote the benefits of being fit and healthy is desperately needed," opposition health spokeswoman Mary Wooldridge said on Monday.
The call to exercise is one the Heart Foundation wants to see both parties commit to.
"With an ageing population and a growing state, a 10-year Victorian Walking Strategy is needed to steer investment into creating more walking paths, better crossings and prioritisation of pedestrians," Heart Foundation Victorian chief Kellie-Ann Jolly said, championing improved means of accessing recreation facilities.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Close to a third of Victorians aged 15 years and over do very little or no exercise at all. In addition to the national promotion of walking for health, we encourage the next Victorian government to invest in healthy urban design that encourages more people to be active in our cities and towns."
Forty days out from the election, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy spent Monday promising $9 million to upgrade Fairhills High School on Melbourne's eastern outskirts, and reinforcing his free text books for students plan.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan headed to Dandenong to inspect the first of the next 39 new V/Locity regional carriages which will hit tracks in November.
