Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Grace Tame controversy and (another) never – ending Australia Day debate

Image: spukkato, iStock

Another Australia Day has passed. For those who don’t know, Australia Day was on Sunday 26 January (AEST).

On New Year’s Day, I wrote this tweet:

https://twitter.com/gqueenmedia/status/1874388431780089966?s=61
Same old, same old.

And this year, Australia Day didn’t disappoint. People were outraged when 2021’s Australian of the Year, Grace Tame met Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese wearing a ‘F*** Murdoch’ t-shirt. That’s a reference to the CEO of Newscorp and Fox News, Rupert Murdoch.

Tame defended her clothing choice, saying she wore the shirt to “speak truth to power”.

She told the ABC:

One thing that I think unites us is that we want to make progress and a huge roadblock to making progress is the fact… the world for far too long, has been ruled by disproportunately, morbidly wealthy, corporate oligarchs

(‘Grace Tame, former Australian of the Year, meets Anthony Albanese in anti – Murdoch shirt’, ABC, Evelyn Manfield/ Monte Bovill, 25 January 2025)

Grace Tame is a sex abuse survivor and advocate. In 2022, she slammed then – Prime Minister, Scott Morrison for his and the LIberal National Party’s response to sexual assault allegations and a toxic workplace.

After an outcry from members of the public, Albanese addressed the incident:

People were just there , one by one, rolling through, being welcomed. And [Tame’s shirt], was clearly designed to get attention because I do think that it takes away from what the day should be about, which is the amazing people who were nominated as Australians of the Year.

(‘Albanese criticises Grace Tame for her “F— Murdoch” t – shirt”, Michelle Griffin/ Millie Muroi, Sydney Morning Herald, updated 27 January 2025).

Tame hit back at Albanese, arguing that the Murdoch media is more offensive. She made claims that Murdoch media dodges taxes, responsible for destabilising democracies and destroying the earth.

Other controversies

Again, debates raged about whether councils should carry out Citizenship Ceremonies on 26 January. Opposition leader, Peter Dutton swore that he’d force councils to conduct the ceremonies on that day if he won this year’s Federal Election. Dutton. also blasted Albanese for tip – toeing around the issue.

Dutton, himself, went to a citizenship ceremony in Brisbane, Queensland.

Companies, such as Woolworths reversed recent decision not to sell Australia Day merchandise.

This year, grocery monopoly, Woolworths caved to public pressure and began selling Australia Day merchandise again

The Israel- Palestine conflict has become intertwined withvthe debate. Pro – Palestinian protesters view the plight of Palestinians the same as the battle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander has had against British colonisers.

Opinions of readers of Melbourne’s The Age were mixed:

Think about the worst trauma that your family has suffered, in the near or distant past, then imagine how it would feel if you were expected to celebrate that event on that day every year. When a change of date would make such a difference, why are we being so mean – spirited and thoughless in causing repeated grief to our First Nations people

(Grace Brisbane – Webb, Skye, The Age, 27 January 2025)

Are our state (sic) and federal (sic) Labor governments so tone deaf that they cannot read the room and hear the mood of most Australians? No to the Voice, changing the date of Australia Day, to anti – semitism (sic), to the disruptive behaviour of destructive protesters, and a very big no to the relentless leftist, woke, progressive insanity of Labor’s pursuit of idealism over commonsense. For anyone in doubt, just check the views of the silent majority reflected in recent polls in every state (sic).

(Peter Baulch, Safety Beach, The Age 27 January 2025).

Honestly, I’m getting tired of this endless debate. I hope we can get to a point where we can be united. Where we can celebrate where we are and be excited for the future. Can we reach a resolution by next year?

LGBTQ youth and cyber – bullying:

Image: ljubaphoto, iStock

This is in response to an email received a few years ago. I’ll be adding up – to-date information in this post. I’m so sorry for the delay.

Western countries, such as Australia, the US, Canada and the UK have made great strides towards LGBTQ+ equality in the past twenty years. However, it doesn’t mean that life is always easy for many LGBTQ+ people, especially youth.

A few years ago. a reader gave me some resources about the high rate of LGBTQ+ youth being bullied online.

According to a survey by VPNMentor:

  • 73% of respondents were harassed or personally attacked online
  • 50% of respondents received sexual harassment online
  • Among LGBTQ+ respondents, asexual people felt most unsafe. Gay men reported being the most safe online
  • Trans women were the gender group who felt least safe online whereas cis men reported feeling the most safe

This study included 695 participants. This is a small sample and I often take studies with small samples with a grain of salt.

Howeverm, in 2021, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)/conducted a slightly larger study. They found 41.1% of LGBTQ+ adolescents had experienced online discrimination. 28.4% reported experiencing gender – based discrimination.

Harassment of asexual people isn’t new

Image: Getty Images, iStock

TW: this part of the post briefly mentions sexual violence

Unfortunately, the findings on the victimisation of asexual youth isn’t surprising, nor is it new.

In 2014, asexual author and advocate Julie Sondra Decker published The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction To Asexuality.

According to Decker, many asexual people experience ‘corrective’ rape and domestic violence because of their orientation. This is in part because people still don’t believe that asexuality exists or can be ‘fixed’ by force or coercion.

Asexual people, especially women, have experienced sexual harassment. Not only that, but victims are often blamed for their experiences. Victims are told they shouldn’t bring up their identity in the first place.

People get abused whether they’re out with their identity or not

Sometimes, people can’t win. Trans people risk abuse whether they’re out about their identity or not. 21% of transmen and 26% of transwomen had reported being outed without their consent.

Many responsdents were outed by classmates, or even friends. Many of the victims were blackmailed by the perpetrators.

Outing an LGBTQ+ person can be terrible for the individual. The person could lose their family or job. It can also exacerbate or cause cyber – bullying and a barrage of hate.

How people can feel safe online

Fortunately, there are ways you can combat online hate. These include:

  • You can just report 5he abuse to the platform.
  • Remove hateful comments off your profile/ page, etc yourself
  • To limit risk, you can make lists or groups orivate and interact in these
  • Remember, cyber – bullying and sexual harrassment are crimes. Don’t be afraid to alert police if this is happening to you

I can only hope cyber – bullying will become a thing of the past. Enough is enough. Everyone deserves to feel safe, both online and in the ‘real’ world.

If you are in Australia and are struggling, please contact Lifeline: 13 11 14.

If you or someone you love feels unsafe or is being victimised, call 000 (or your national emergency number).

If you are an LGBTQ+ young person, you can go to QLife.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Australian principals are fighting food insecurity among students. How did this get so bad in the first place?

Image: Prostock – Studio, iStock

How can this happen in Australia in 2024?

According to the ABC, 1.3 million Australian children live with food insecurity. Going to school hungry is detrimental to a child’s learning. Fortunately, one school is combatting this.

Alexandra Hills State School, Queensland teamed up with not – for – profit, Eat Up to provide students with a free lunch.

Principal, Scott Ward explained the program as:

[It’s] really a vehicle for the kids to know that we care and that our community cares about them, no matter what, whether they can afford food or they can’t.

(‘Children experiencing food insecurity can face challenges at school. Some groups and principals are changing that’. Stephanie Felsina, ABC News, 9 September 2024)

The school is incredibly humble and wants their students to ask for food without shame:

I think the most important thing for us is we don’t make a big deal of it, because we want our kids to know that they can come to a staff member without shame.

Food insecurity leads to absenteeism

Image: kuarmungadd, iStock

A few months ago, ABC’s Four Corners raised alarm about children being too anxious to go to school.

Living with food insecurity is a common reason for children not attending school.

In 2018, Foodbank revealed that one in three parents lived with food insecurity. When parents struggle with finances, essentials are sacrificed. It’s food vs rent. Or electricity bill vs school expenses.

Heartbreakingly, children who live in poverty face bullying when they do go to school. Parents also told Foodbank they realised mood and behavioural changes in their children due to hunger.

Conversely, founder of Eat Up, Lyndon Galea has seen an increase of attendance since partnering with Alexandra Hill School.

Schools also reached out to other charities, such as Y (formerly YMCA), to help provide food for students. Like Mr. Ward, Y aims to destigmatise children reaching out when in need.

Touching stories exposes national shame

Alexandra High Schol and charities should be commended for providing food to hungry children. However, it exposes a national shame.

The media in Australia is flooded with reports of the cost of living crisis. There have also been reports of major supermarkets, most infamously, Woolworths, being condemned for falsely advertising ‘specials’. Social media users exposed the supermarket giant for price gouging and exploiting the cost of living crisis.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has launched legal action against Woolworths and Coles, accusing them of raising prices and falsely promoting them as specials.

It’s disgusting how supermarket giants, power companies and, ultimately the Australian Government has created this situation. It’s disgusting that children don’t have the means to have their basic needs met. We’re not talking about a twelve – year – old wanting the latest PlayStation, PARENTS CAN’T AFFORD TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN! It’s such an outrage with plenty of blame to go around.

So, what can be done? Until the Government gets its act together, maybe you can support an Australian charity. The Smith Family directly helps children in poverty attend school.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Disney: from magic to heartlessness

Image: FelixCatana, iStock

When I was a child in the 1990’s, I was obsessed with Disney. When I was ablut five or six I wanted Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves videos.

In 1995, I remember wanting to go to Disney World or Disneyland so badly. Back then, people who had Pocahontas and Toy Story on video had a chance to win a flight to Disney World in Florida. I didn’t win, much to my disappointment.

I also loved Sleeping Beauty. A few years later, I fell in love with Mulan. You get it. I was a Disney kid through and through until I was in my mid teens.

Now, as an adult, I find the Walt Dosney Company so… heartless. They have sacrificed safety, human dignity and compassion for profit.

The food allergy death and the Disney+ ‘fine print

This is the most recent scandal that I know of.

According to the ABC, last year, Kanokporn Tangsuan allegedly died in a Disney Springs restaurant. It’s alleged that Mrs Tangsuan had an allergic reaction to nuts and dairy in the food. Walt Disney Corporation advertised that accommodating for people with allergies was a “top priority”.

In the aftermath of Dr. Tangsuan’s death, her husband, Jeffrey Piccolo tried to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against Walt Disney Corporation. Rather than admit guilt, Walt Disney Company callously argued that Dr. Kanokporn’s family couldn’t sue. They made the bogus claim that pursuing a lawsuit went against Disney Plus’s Terms and Conditions.

Lawyers supporting Piccolo said Disney’s ‘fine print’ argument was “absurd”.

Disney’s backpedal and response

After the public found out Disney’s callousness, Disney backpedalled. Kind of. Disney offered a vague, inauthentic response:

With such unique circumstances as ones in this case, we believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss.

Walt Disney Corporation should give Piccolo and his family a proper apology. Then again, psychopaths can’t give genuine apologies, can they?

Disney goes after grieving father over dead son’s tomb stone

Dr. Tangsuan’s death isn’t the only time where Walt Disney Corporation has been heartless.

In 2019, Disney clashed with British father, Lloyd Jones over a Spider-Spider-Man display on his son, Ollie’s tombstone. Ollie passed away after a battle with leukodystrophy. Jones wanted to use a picture of Spider-Man to honour his son.

Disney Corporation dug their heels in, arguing that Walt Disney himself forbade his cartoons from being engraved on tombstones.

This caused outrage. Over 16,000 people signed a petition calling for Disney Corporation to change their policies. Families of children who’ve passed away should be able to display Disney movies on tombstones.

Jones’ brother, Jason joined in the chorus calling for Disney to change thir mind. Disney didn’t buckle, but offered a ‘one – of – a – kind’ illustration, with words commemorating Ollie.

So, what can we say about Disney? They’re heartless. They don’t care about their fans — children or adults. They only care about money and bogus terms and conditions. Maybe keep that in mind when you’re thinking about signing up to Disney Plus.

Categories
Gender/ sexuality

Report says there’s ‘no evidence’ of people being rushed into gender treatment

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Is the truth coming out about gender – affirming care?

According to the ABC, Queensland Children’s Gender Services (QGCS) reported that no children were “coerced” or hurried into treatment.

In June, the clinic saw 547 children and adolescents. A further 491 were waiting to be treated.

Within six months, only a third of children and youth who accessed services received medical treatment including puberty blockers and hormones.

Psychiatrist, Dr Jillian Spencer from Queensland Children’s Hospital accused gender clinic of a lack of mental health screening. However, a panel of seven, headed by psychiatrist Dr John Allan dismissed her claims. They found the treatment of children safe and found:

…no evidence of children, adolescents or their families being hurried or coerced into making decisions about medical intervention.

(‘Independent Report into Queensland Children’s Gender Service Finds No Evidence Patients Were ‘Hurried’ Into Decisions’, Janelle Miles/ Rebecca Hyam, 19 July 2024)

In a – 104 – page report, the QGCS found that specialists were thorough in their assessments. They took their patients’ mental health, neurodiversity and current circumstances into account.

I find the last point interesting. In the mainstream and social media, doctors are often accused of ignoring diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Dosorder (ASD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in favour of gender dysphoria. That doesn’t seem to be the case (surprise, surprise).

Tavistock

Image: Marbury, iStock

In the UK, treatment for gender – diverse children has been in the spotlight. In March this year, Tavistock Centre closed after a number of complaints and lawsuits. Whistleblowers (often former employees) have also accused Tavistock of unethical behaviour.

People raised questions of the alleged explosion in gender – affirming treatment of minors in recent years. Allegedly, there was no real evidence that the treatments were working, as there was no follow up or after care.

I say ‘allegedly’ because I’m sceptical of the accusations.

In the aftermath, UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has cracked down on gender affirming care for minors.

The Cass Report

The Cass Report was behind much of NHS’s updated recommendations on restricting gender affirming care for under 25s. However, the report has faced a number of criticisms.

According to Advocate, the report, composed by Dr Hillary Cass, is flawed. It allegedly dismissed more than 100 studies highlighting the benefits of gender – affirming care.

The report falsely claimed that gender dysphoria “may be caused by anxiety, depression and OCD”. This is refuted by the American Psychological Association.

The Cass Report enforces the idea that gender dysphoria is a ‘social contagion. This theory has been debunked.

Additionally, the Cass Report has been allegedly tied to anti – trans organisations. When conducting the study, Dr Cass met with Patrick Hunter. Hunter is a member of Catholic Medical Association. This anti – LGBTQ+ organisation has been behind Governor Ron DeSantis’ policies.

Finally, director of UK’s The Good Law Project, Jo Maugham accused the NHS and Dr Cass suppressing evidence that shows a major increase of young people taking their lives while waiting for gender – affirming care.

According to a whistleblower and former Tavistock employee, one person took their own life between 2013 to 2020. However, since the Bell vs Tavistock ruling, there has been sixteen deaths.

I’m starting to believe that the gender – affirming care debate is another culture war. It seems that concerns over children transitioning is based on ideology rather evidence. And, tragically, trans and gender – diverse children are the ultimate victims of it.

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Opinion/Commentary Uncategorized

Women are falling prey to MLMs. What is Multi-Level Marketing?

Image: Andrii Dodonov, iStock

According to the ABC, people in regional Australia, are falling for Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes.

One MLM that’s preying on people in regional Australia is one promoting a Japanese machine that “electrolyses tap water” and promises “triple health” to people who drink it. They gain recruits by promising a six – figure salary.

However, this is often far from reality.

Proponents of MLMs promise a dream. However, most people who enter MLMs realise quickly that it’s a nightmare.

What is Multi-level Marketing

Before we go any further, what is Multi-level Marketing?

Forbes defines multi-level marketing as:

Multi-level Marketing (MLM), also known as direct marketing or network marketing, is a method of selling products directly to consumers using independent sales representatives

(‘Understanding Multi-level Marketing’ E. Napoletano, Editor: Benjamin Curry, Forbes Advisor, Updated 26 April 2023)

Investapedia argues that there are ‘legitimate’ MLM businesses. From what I’ve heard and read over the years, ‘legitimate’ MLMs must be few and far in between.

The Rural Freedom Movement

According to the ABC, Kate* (name has been changed) is a single mother from remote Queensland. She sees a post of a young woman 8n a cowgirl hat. This woman appears to be living in luxury. This mystery woman is Kylie Stevenson.

She claims to make her income online. How? She claims it’s by recruiting people to sell big ticket items.

Stevenson started The Rural Freedom Movement. She advertises it as:

…a community of rural people who are seeking to learn how to create an online income and build a legacy for their future.

In a social media post, Stevenson wrote:

If you’re looking for an opportunity to break free from a 9-5 grind and create a life of financial freedom, then you’re in the right place.

(‘4 reasons not to turn to an MLM for an income boost’, Kelly Scott, 5 February 2021)

Does it all sound too good to. be true? Well, The Rural Freedom is an MLM. So, it’s more likely than not that many people who join The Rural Freedom Movement will not get what they were promised.

Most people lose, not make money in MLMs. And they lose relationships

Image: Gearstd, iStock

There’s a reason why MLMs are frequently compared to pyramid schemes.

You are far, far more likely to lose money in an MLM. According to the ABC, less than one per cent make lots of money through MLMs. In fact, many can’t make a living from them at all.

When people join an MLM, they are pressured to buy their MLM products using their own money. This is often expensive and it’s impossible for most people to break even, let alone make a profit.

Lucy* (not real name), a young stay – at – home mother, claims that MLM recruiters harass and are “relentless”. And they’re unaffordable.

To hide this reality, recruiters use love – bombing to add to their downline.

I have a very, very strict budget and I can’t buy this crap all the time. I hate MLMs so much. The guilting, the relentless posting… and the girls from school in my DMs like, ‘Hey babe, how are you?’ I don’t respond anymore because I already know what they want.

(‘4 reasons ot to turn to an MLM for an income boost’, Kelly Scott, 5 February 2021).

Like cults, some MLMs encourage their recruiters to cut ties to friends and family who are concerned.

This makes people who join MLMs feel isolated. This makes MLM companies to rely solely on other members of the MLM.

Almost all MLMs leave people broke and broken-hearted. They are predatory. They promote a false reality and shame those who don’t live up to the image they promote. I think they should be avoided like the plague.

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Uncategorized

Federal government vows to pay university students during work placement

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Love or hate the Australian Labor Party (ALP) at least they’ve planned to do something to help university students. Finally!

I’ ve written about the struggles of some university students to complete unpaid placement here. The dropout rate of university students, especially parents, is astronomical. As I wrote at the time, Grattan Institute reported that 70% of part – time students didn’t finish their degrees.

A major reason was Work Placement. Many courses, like Social Work, education and nursing require hundreds, if not a thousand hours Field Placement.

Until now, students have been doing Field Placement unpaid. This is unsustainable, especially now with the cost of living crisis.

Not to mention how high fees and Higher Education Contribution Scheme- Higher Education Loan Program (HECS-HELP) loans are. And, according to Yahoo Finance, HECS debt is set to rise again next month. The average HECS debt is estimated to rise by A$1,245.00.

This is despite the Australian Labor Government vowing to force universities to cap fee rises so they don’t exceed Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Labor introduced funds for university Work Placement

Young female nurse visiting patient home holding clip folder
Image: Mr Vito, iStock

According to Conor Duffy from ABC, promised funds for social work, teaching and nursing students.

Prime Minister said:

Teachers give our children the best start in life, they deserve a fair start to their career. We’re proud to be backing the hard work and aspirations of Australians looking to better themselves by studying at university.

‘Government moves to fund students on university placements for teaching, nursing and social work’, Connor Duffy, 5 May 2024

The ALP promised A$320 per week. Chalmers, nor Albanese offered any estimate to how much the means – tested scheme would cost before the budget was announced.

The scheme will be means – tested and it’s estimated that 68,000 university students will be eligible.

This coincided with ALP’s promise to change the indexation to ease pressure on HECS – HELP fees.

Step in the right direction, but nowehere near enough

I know people probably are against this. ‘Why should taxpayers pay for university students? They’ll earn more than me!’ Or, ‘I went to university and I was able to pay off my HECS. Why shouldn’t they?’

Here is my take. What the Labor Government is (hopefully) moving in the right direction.

I think university in Australia is becoming to unattainable for the majority. And I can’t see that as a win for anyone. University fees are so unrealistic that universities in Sydney and Melbourne are heavily reliant on international students.

And what ablut costs in other areas? Other services? Teen Vogue reported that stress over high university fees is exacerbating poor mental health of university students in the US. The cost of living crisis in Australia is already forcing people to choose between seeking therapy and paying rent.

So, I’m glad that Labor is promising to wipe off A$3billion of student debt. While it’s not enough, it’s something.

Also, free Work Placement, especially in today’s economy can’t be justified, especially when it goes for hundreds of hours.

So, it’s something. But it’s nowhere near enough. Students shouldn’t struggle to live.

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Opinion/Commentary

Did the ABC drag LGBTQ+ people through the mud for clickbait?

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The ABC reported allegations that Year Nine girls at Renmark High School were exposed to references of ‘bestiality’ during a ‘Respectful Relationships’ class.

Female students claimed they were told to leave their current classes to attend a presentation. There was staff from Headspace, Berri.

One student, Courtney White, 14 said:

We had a teacher that told us to grab a chair and sit in front of the board, and then the Headspace people came in and then the Headspace people came in and then [the teacher] left, so, we’re sitting in front of a board alone with no teachers, just Headspace people.

Quick note: She’s only fourteen (apparently). The above quote (which is word for word from the ABC article) is weird. It sounds like the teacher abandoned them.

When I was in high school, teachers were always present at speeches, presentations, etc. So, why did the teachers in Renmark High leave them now?

Mentions of bestiality: what is the truth?

The biggest controversy was an alleged reference to bestiality. The way some commented on it, it sounds like zoophiles are included in the LGBTQ+ community.

Were LGBTQ+ people linked to zoophiles? What was the real context? According to a Reddit post:

Apparently, (according to the other sub), what happened was the presenter made a reference that years ago, LGBT people were compared to those who’d practice bestiality, (well, not that long ago as it was said during the marriage equality debate). Some of the young students in the audience misunderstood what that meant and by the time it got back to their parents, it had become a lecture on bestiality.

NoteChoice7719, 5 April 2024

Other Reddit users were confused what happened. Some even doubted the students’ accounts.

If NoteChoice7719 is correct, the presenter wasn’t completely wrong. During the same – sex marriage debate in 2016 – 2017, people argued that same – sex marriage would lead to acceptance of bestiality. That was so disgusting. Frankly, it didn’t need to be repeated.

When news got out, parents were outraged. According to The Mercury, at least one mother removed her three children from the school.

Renmark High School receives backlash and apologises

The backlash against was Renmark High School was swift. So was their response.

RHS Principal, Mat Evans admitted that the school was in the wrong. He assured parents that it was being investigated. In the meantime, the presenter has been suspended from all government schools.

He admitted students were uncomfortable during the presentation. He also expressed regret about not informing parents and that school staff weren’t present.

So, was the ABC wrong?

When I first researched for this story, I was so disappointed in the ABC. I thought they were throwing LGBTQ+ under the bus. However, I don’t think that now.

There seems to be confusion on exactly what was said at the presentation. However, it sounds like both Renmark High School and Headspace Berri was in the wrong. They shouldn’t have make the students uncomfortable. The Principal and parents should’ve been informed

To be fair, I’m willing to believe that the presenter didn’t mean to link the LGBTQ+ community to bestiality or other illegal activities. The ABC probably should have made that clearer.

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Opinion/Commentary Uncategorized

Does Finland hold the answers for Australia’s early childhood education and care crisis?

Getty Images: iStock

Australia has an early childhood education and care crisis. Actually, there’s a number of crises.

Most parents and caregivers can’t afford not to work. Ironically, early childhood education can be so expensive, it makes working seem pointless.

There’s more.

Many Australian parents are finding it almost impossible to find spots for their children without waiting for a significant period of time.

Emma Douglas from Broome, Western Australia, told ABC’s 7.30:

[I’d] be posting on the Broome babysitting Facebook pages begging, begging, for a babysitter that could fit in with the days that I needed.

Douglas eventually gave up her job due to lack of available childcare. Fortunately after being in Broome for two years, Douglas was able to find a childcare place.

She said the childcare system: “doesn’t feel fair”.

Finland’s childcare system

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Unlike Australia’s private childcare system, Finland’s childcare centres are run by local government. It’s also considered a right.

Professor of education at the University of Jyaskyla, Heidi Harji – Luukkainen explained:

So, in Finland, we have a subjective right for children to get early childhood education, which means that the parents are guaranteed placement for the child in early childhood education whenever there is a need.

Additionally, childcare fees aren’t blanket amounts. They’re dependent on a family’s income. Fees can range from A$50 to A$500 a month. In Australia, the system is a bit more complex.

Austalian governments have introduced childcare subsidies. In mid – to – late 2020, the Liberal National Party (LNP), ended JobKeeper for early childhood educators and rolled back free childcare for working families.

Lack of access

Another issue that Australian parents face is finding an early childhood education centre nearby.

Many parents, especially in Australia’s capital cities have to travel almost half an hour to take their child/ren to childcare. This creates stress on both the parents and children. They often have to leave home early in the morning and get home in the evening. Talk about a busy day!

In contrast, Finland has numerous early childhood education centres that are near enough for families.

The history of Finland’s early childhood education system

According to Jacobin, Finland’s successful early childhood education system didn’t happen overnight.

The first kindergarten was established in the capital, Helsinki in 1888. This was established for working -class families. Four years later, education for early childhood teachers began. Since 1995, most Finnish early childhood educators hold a degree. In Australia, the minimum qualification to work in early childhood education is Certificate III.

In 1919, Finnish municipalities were granted the right to establish early childhood education centres. Only a few took the offer. However, after World War Two, early childhood education was formalised.

In 1973, Finland’s government introduced the Child Daycare Act. This made childcare a right for Finnish children. This came about because childcare was only accessible to families who could afford or access it geographically (sound familiar?)

So, yes, Australia can learn from Finland. It’s all about priorities. Early childhood education needs to be considered a right to all children, not just a privilege for some.

What do you think? Should Australia try to adopt Finland’s esrly childhood education system? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt sentenced for child abuse

Trigger warning: this post mentions child abuse and may be triggering for some readers. If this is true for you, please proceed with care.

On Wednesday, (Australian Eastern Daylight Time), a Utah judge sentenced Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt

The 8 Passengers’ matriarch was sentenced between four to sixty years imprisonment for aggravated child abuse. Hildebrandt was given the same sentence.

Late last year, Franke confessed to abusing her – then twelve -year – old son. She admitted to forcing him to work outside in late Spring to late Summer (May to August). Despite the heat, Franke’s son wasn’t given adequate water. He also suffered severe sunburns.

Franke also physically abused her son and bound his ankles and wrists with handcuffs and rope.

Franke then ‘treated’ the boy’s injuries with duct tape.

When the judge asked her plea, Franke said:

With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty.

Franke treated her then – then nine – year. – old – daughter in similar ways.

Yet, Franke has had the gall to accuse one of her children of sexual abuse and calling her children ‘evil and posessed’. If the second statement isn’t an example of projection, I don’t know what is!

Franke’s sadistic nature was evident on ‘8 Passengers’

Image: contrastaddict, iStock

No one should be surprised with these charges. Ruby is sadistic and she hasn’t hid it.

As far back as 2020, viewers were disturbed over Franke’s overly – strictt parenting.

She treated her children horribly, all in the public eye.

Last year, reporters and commentators revealed that Franke forced her eldest son to sleep on a beanbag for seven months. In a video, the teenager revealed that he’d got in trouble for pranking his brother.

She refused to give her young daughter —who was six at the time — lunch at school. Why? Because the six – year – old daughter forgot to pack it.

In 2021, Franke announced that she and Kevin were giving two of their youngest children “the gift of truth” for Christmas. That’s code for nothing. These children weren’t even teenagers at this stage.

But wait, there’s more. Both children were used by toy companies to promote… toys for Christmas. You can’t make this stuff up!

Snail Galaxy started a petition calling for Child Protection Services (CPS) to investigate Franke’s treatment of the children. Unfortunately, it amassed less than three hundred signatures. But Franke was starting to get attention for all the wrong reasons.

YouTuber Josh Barbour has covered Franke’s cruelty on Dad Challenge Podcast for about three years.

Ex – LDS couple, Jordan and McKay has also spoken about Franke and Hildebrandt, especially Hildebrandt’s therapy practices.

Where to from here?

The imprisonment of Franke and Hildebrandt brings up many issues. One is exploitation of children online. The other is the danger of the ‘picture perfect’ image that family vloggers put across. It seems limke that the more ‘perfect’ a vlogger family seems, the more that they have to hide.

As social media users, the best we can do is stop falling for it. Stop watching family vlogs and other problematic creators. Fortunately, that’s starting to happen.

If this post brings up any issues for you and you’re in Australia, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or go on their webchat

Kids Helpline (for those between five and 25): 1800 55 1800 or their webchat

If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 or your national emergency number.