Dear Shadow Minister,

I still maintain that I wish our politicians
did not stoop to personal attacks on each
other but focused on policies and problem
solving instead, and talk specifically about
why we should vote for them instead of their
opposition. In other words - focus on what
they have to offer instead of what's wrong
with the other guy.

It would be a refreshing change.

Hi 579,

You're right, there are probably many other au pairs in Australia, for example governesses on remote cattle stations owned by wealthy pastoralists, illegals who work on wealthy horticulturalists' blocks, who get less cash to blow than Dr. di Natale's. Perhaps other au pairs working for inner-city professionals.

Why don't the gutter-journalists drop this minor offence and move onto other issues ? Clearly, they're all anti-Green.

Joe

Dearest Foxy,

Yes, just what I wrote ! " .... focus on what they have to offer instead of what's wrong with the other guy." How do we know Labor and Coalition politicians are paying even less than the Greens for their servants ? Where's the evidence that they're paying more ?

Let's put this behind us and get on with policies and principles.

Cheers,

Joe

Part of the statement by Richard Di Natale

"We went to a specialist employment agency to get some advice on pay rates and based on that advice we offered a package of close to $500 for 25 hours a week including rent, meals and sundries. What the newspaper did, was fail to take into account accommodation, meals and sundries. We had a really positive experience with au pairs, and were rigorous in making sure that we did the right thing by them. That’s why this story is so disappointing."

The Greens are putting the fear into some, so an unfounded smear campaign by the rabid right is to be expected. The whole episode seems to have fizzed out. Bad luck Shadow, try as you may, another dud beat up.

Hi Paul,

Thanks for clearing all that up. Yes, the equivalent of $ 500 per week is probably generous, considering how little work some au pairs would have to do. After all, she would get a room, meals, and on top of that $ 150 spending money, and, either way, not even have to pay income tax.

And after all, that au pair is probably single, she doesn't have kids to support, or any costs except for herself. So the equivalent of $ 500 per week, or an annual income of $ 26,000, is probably quite sufficient, she should think herself lucky.

Cheers,

Joe

Paul,

Dinner Tally should consult to 7-11 on how to invent excuses for underpaying students.

The excuse that the au pairs only worked short hours is highly unlikely given the nature of the work, and Dinner Tally's "inability" to produce timesheets sounds like something from 7-11's playbook.

The story is far more valid than most of the beat ups you post.