Media Release

Open letter to the Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard 
from the Fatherhood Foundation

We, on behalf of the fathers and families of this nation, congratulate you on your move to restore the role of fathers as demonstrated by the many positive headlines and stories in Australian papers this week. To Care for the Kids - Keep Dad in the Picture and Give Dad A Go have been some of the most encouraging.  This is the best news for fathers since Lionel Murphy introduced the ‘Family Destruction Act’ in 1975.  Easy divorce and a femocentric Family Law Court have not been the answer to the tears of our children.  Children need a mother and a father.  As Bettina Arndt says, ‘one finding has emerged very clearly – joint custody is the type of care preferred by most children’.  A rebuttable presumption of joint custody is therefore the best case scenario for all concerned.  The message it sends to the courts and society at large is that fathers are important in the life of their children.  Children already know this, and most mothers will agree.

The Fatherhood Foundation’s goal is to be part of the answer, not part of the problem.  Our aim is to inspire men to a greater level of excellence as fathers by encouraging and educating them, thereby renewing families and empowering children.  The best way to help Australia’s children is to encourage the fathers of Australia.  For too long Aussie dads have been libelled by the media, vilified by militant feminists, and denied justice by our court system.  Many have been crushed beyond measure.  Our soaring male suicide statistics are a silent testimony to the words of Isaiah, ‘Judgement is turned away backward, and justice stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street’.

In a day when few are prepared to challenge the status quo, it is great relief to find a Prime Minister who is prepared to go into bat for the truth.  Fatherlessness is a curse that children should not have to live with.  Our society cannot bear the burden of fatherlessness, neither can our children.  Let us work together to turn the tide of fatherlessness in Australia.  Let us lift the bar together as a nation.  Together we can make a difference.  Let us work towards, ‘excellence in fathering’ as the norm.  Our children deserve the ‘best dads in the world’.

Again we congratulate you Mr Howard.  Hold fast to the course.  The future of our nation and our children is at stake.

Yours for Our Children
Warwick Marsh
Fatherhood Foundation

For more information contact:			
Warwick Marsh					Email: info@fathersonline.org
Mobile: 041 822 5212				Fatherhood Foundation 
Ph: 02 4272 6677					PO Box 440
Website: www.fathersonline.org			Wollongong  NSW  2520

Fatherhood Foundation
Inspiring fathers – Renewing families