Dear Pelly,

Not sure what all the fuss is about, politicians
come and go all the time and no-one usually makes
a big deal of it unless scandal is involved.

In Ms Roxon's case it should seem perfectly understandable.
She's been in politics since 1998 and her daughter is
now 7 years old. Wanting to spend more time with her
family seems like a natural choice at this point in time.

Mark Dreyfus will replace Ms Roxon as Attorney-General and
from what I've read - he's a highly respected and capable
person who will do the job well.

There has been quite a re-shuffle in the PM's Cabinet -
and as the PM has stated it's "fresh talent with fresh ideas,"
going into an election year. Surely that can't be a bad thing.

I also wish Nicola Roxon All The Best. 15 years in any job -
is quite long enough. Good Luck to Her!

Regardless of who it is, the real problem is the parliamentary golden handshake arrangements that were never designed for career politicians to take advantage of, retiring with huge benefits for life from a very youthful age. Both men and women have benefited so 'gender' is irrelevant. Other examples include Bill O'Chee and Natasha Stott Despoya.

Should a politician aged 41 retire on a fully indexed guvvy pension with other benefits?

Another point, the politicians' superannuation is indexed against average weekly earnings whereas the superannuation that the government's public servants and military have paid for is indexed against the discounted CPI. So the politicians' spending power is maintained while that of its 'servants' or employees, is quickly eroded.

As long ago as 1972 the Jess Committee, a Joint Parliamentary Committee, recommended that, "..retired and invalid pay be expressed as a percentage of final pay and be adjusted annually so that relativity with average weekly earnings is maintained" and stated, "The Committee has concluded that the most appropriate method of maintaining the real value of retired pay is to ensure that it maintains relativity with average weekly earnings."

The Whitlam Labor Government and later Governments including Gillard's Labor/Green government have chosen ignore the Jess recommendations. EXCEPT in relation to politicians' superannuation. Bosses are different and Labor are as much bosses as any other. Perhaps more so.

Much better to be Nicola Roxon or Julia Gillard than a soldier who risks his life in another country. Or his widow and children if he does not return.

Yet Roxon and one presumes Julia Gillard are to be regarded as 'brave'? For bloody what? For ambition, for enjoying a jolly good living and entitlements while in the job and their $150,000+ fully indexed for for life?

enough damage in a short period of time. We should be rejoicing.

Houlley
'Cracks me up that feminists have rallied against male colleagues daring to play golf together for so long, but are totally cool when it comes to women having a secret little club.'

And the reverse applies, that is why I wonder about all the fuss about a women's club. I don't have a problem with men's or women's clubs. Why all the fuss about Emily's List and the singular approach from some people. Also I don't think men are denigrated at all for wanting to spend more time with family nor should it be so.

Suse
The reaction was more in response to Ms Roxon's decision to leave her role to spend more time with her family as onthebeach noted rather than her being in the workforce ie. as though she has somehow let the 'side' down. If feminism is about dictating what women 'should' be doing for the cause or conforming to some universal standard concocted by an elite group of privileged middle class women with their own agenda, then it is a lost cause.

WM Trevor
I think you may be right, many women still want to be the primary carer but more men are doing it now too,especially if their wife earns a higher salary and there is a mortgage to be paid. Basically whatever arrangements families make is up to them.

Lexi
Well put, it is a no-brainer really which is why I was at a loss to fathom some of these negative comments.

individual
You made me laugh. I started the thread so the point is of my making..Yes?

What happened to people living to the beat of their own drum. If feminism was about anything it was about widening the choices for men and women, albeit the first wave was more about 'equalising' in a practical sense ie. equal pay for equal work etc. Men on balance probably have fewer choices in this regard when it comes to work/family but on a positive they are more involved now with their kids

"Outgoing Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has left a raft of significant legal reforms ... prohibition on causing offence that would limit free speech"

Roxon suddenly becomes maternal...how old is this orphan of her's?
The kid seemed to get along fine until seven, but the bad polls and the payout brought out the "mother" in Roxon.

Shove a gag in our mouths and take the money and run. Labor criminal moll.

Pelican, I'm going to break my silence just this once in response to your comment above.

" If feminism is about dictating what women 'should' be doing for the cause or conforming to some universal standard concocted by an elite group of privileged middle class women with their own agenda, then it is a lost cause. "

I just wanted to congratulate you for "getting it".