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From: Family Responsibilities

Sent: Thursday, 15 December 2005 2:27 PM

To: Family Responsibilities

Subject: FW: Follow Up Pru Goward's Speech to National Press Club

-----Original Message-----

From: Carol Cunningham

Sent: Thursday, 10 February 2005 12:50 AM

To: Paffairs

Subject: Follow Up Pru Goward's Speech to National Press Club

Dear Ms Goward,

I was fortunate to catch your speech today to the National Press Club, and am moved to follow up with this email.

My anectodal information ...

>> I am a sole parent (I think this is more descriptive

than single).

>> My son's father died without life insurance when he was 2

years old (we were estranged at the time).

>> I had worked until a week before my son was born & went

back to work when he was 5 weeks old,

>> and have not stopped in the last 8 years - except to change my IT

>> career of 20 years to re-skill as

a teacher

>> (not sponsored by the govt. despite their cry for

teachers in my field) -

>> in order to have some time with my son as he grows up & to remain

>> employable in the regional area of North

Queensland,

>> and because I had been working in one of the most family-

unfriendly working environments (mining).

>> If I chose to return to a capital centre I could possibly

resume my previous career -

>> but there comes a time to give something back to the next

generation ...

So to follow up on some of the points you made in your speech ... I personally do not want to be one of those 'poor old ladies' and this has driven me since I was

14 (sometime in the '80s) when my own father told me that there would be no pension for my generation.

But the sole responsibility of parenting becomes the overriding priority at this point in time, where I feel that I have no choice but to opt out of the workforce for 2.5 years to retrain as a teacher (and fund these studies myself), then take a pay cut of 50% to what I could have been earning in my former career (IT).

And as the eldest daughter, I know I will be left with the responsibility of caring for my mother in her old age.

You spoke about the dimension of only children (like my son) of caring for their parents & I shudder at the possibilities for my son's work and life opportunities if we as a nation cannot turn the tide on the problems you describe (and which have hallmarked my working life).

At times there seems no way out but to become that 'poor old lady' if I survive the new career and the enormous responsibility of parenting on my own.

So, my question is this ... "What Can I Do?".

I would personnally lov to go out and have a few more kids (while I can) - but as this is just fantasy - I would be very interested in any further information you can provide as your new platform unfolds, and suggestions for how to help the momentum grow - (particularly in regional centres where there is a 'traditional culture' to overcome).

I would be very interested in becoming an advocate for this cause - in anyway I can contribute.

Once again, thank you for your words of wisdom & insight

regards,

Carol Cunningham