Australia Pushing Exercise in Schools

Australia's government is giving an extra $21.3 billion to the country's schools — but students will have to sweat for their share.

Schools get a slice of the package only if their students exercise at least two hours a week — a condition imposed as part of the government's push to fight childhood obesity, Prime Minister John Howard announced.

The money, earmarked for boosting literacy, math skills and other programs, comes on top of what the government normally allots for education annually.

Howard's government faces elections later this year, and is expected to fight a tough battle against a resurgent opposition Labor Party.

Howard seemed to be reversing his earlier stance on the problem of childhood obesity. Just last week, he said obesity should be dealt with by parents, not the government. The prime minister was responding to an opposition call to ban junk food advertising during children's TV programs.

Obesity is rising in Australia, with more children becoming seriously overweight because of the immense popularity of junk food.

Researchers estimate that 23 percent of Australian children are overweight, while 6 percent of those are obese — more than triple the number a decade ago.

The government planned to introduce the aid package to parliament on June 23, 2004.

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