comment posted by Mike Asproulis on February 13, 2004 05:35 PM:
Hello Coralie. I looked at almost all your pics and they make up a great online family album. I'm sending you this article from the Sydney Morning Herald website in case you haven't heard this news already and thought it would be of some interest to you since having a new baby and all: Families may take home $13,700 with the new baby
By Cosima Marriner
February 13, 2004

Mothers with children under five could receive a tax-free annual salary of $10,700 plus a $3000 subsidy for each child under a proposal that would see some family benefits scrapped.

Researcher Lucy Sullivan, who has worked for Liberal Party think-tank the Menzies Research Centre, has calculated that the universal payment would cost taxpayers a minimum of $1.6 billion extra a year.

It is understood that her detailed costings have been circulated within the Government.

Ms Sullivan's proposal would enable the Government to help Australians better balance work and family, but would not influence mothers choosing between returning to work and staying at home with the children.

Ms Sullivan suggests that all mothers with children under five should be given a minimum payment of $13,720 a year for the first five years of the child's life.

This would include a "mother's" salary of $10,691 - equal to the existing parenting payment and family tax benefit part B - and a $3029 subsidy for each child under five.

This tax-free money could be used for childcare or to supplement the family income if the mother remained at home.

The salary and subsidy would replace the baby bonus, family tax benefits, the child care benefit, parenting payment for mothers with children under five, youth allowance, childcare centre subsidies and public service paid maternity leave.

Ms Sullivan estimates these existing benefits cost the Government $18.1 billion a year.

Replacing them with a mother's salary and subsidy for all children up to the age of 20 would cost between $1.6 billion and $5.45 billion more, depending on the amount of subsidy paid.

Despite naming work and family as a third term priority, of government in August 2001, the Prime Minister, John Howard, has yet to deliver a concrete policy.

It is believed Mr Howard favours a universal payment, such as the one Ms Sullivan is proposing. It is likely this would apply to whatever parent stayed at home with the child.

The Opposition yesterday attacked the Government over a leaked report from the Prime Minister's own work and family taskforce. The report, which went to cabinet in December 2002, appeared to favour Labor's work and family policies.

Coralie-

I wish you much success, peace and happiness in the years ahead with your new child, and the foundation for your success is your belief in your own strength. Mike

comment posted by katie on February 15, 2004 12:27 PM:
How come you had to get it removed? was it a bad mole?. I always thought you got moles from being exposed to the sun, but I`ve got one right underneath one of my breasts and that bit of skin hasn`t seen the light of day, since my days of running around as a kid with no t-shirt on.