ALP losing the single-father vote - survey

Press Release
April 1st, 2004



ALP losing the single-father vote - survey


A recent internet survey on voting intentions for the coming federal
election has revealed an unexpected trend away from labor by single-fathers
and grandparents.

This survey was conducted within the midst of an increasingly family-focused
political campaign in Australia, spearheaded by the recently released report
into proposed child custody law changes (EPTAS: Report into child custody
arrangements), a community wide re-evaluation of the need for male role
models, and controversy surrounding proposed affirmative action laws
intended to encourage men back into teaching.

From a sample of 302 respondents, an overwhelming number (94.4%) of
traditional labor voters indicated that they did not intend to vote for
labor at the coming federal election. These respondents were primarily
composed of single-fathers and grandparents, but also included a broader
cross-section of the community.



The majority of respondents highlighted recent high profile gender-sensitive
issues as having the most significant influence on their voting intentions,
and the most consistent of these voices tended to crystalise on a
condemnation of the EPTAS report, commonly referred to as inadequate, and
far short of what was expected.



Although the EPTAS report was unanimously supported by the joint-committee
members of both major parties, the unexpected nature of the report seems to
have fuelled a growing suspicion and mistrust of labor's resolve to
genuinely address men's issues.



Labor's perceived role in railroading this report, along with its recent
refusal to support affirmative action laws designed to address the gender
imbalance of primary school teachers, seems to have convinced a majority of
survey respondents that labor is not serious about addressing single-father
issues and existing gender inequities in the family court.



Common references were made of the Opposition Leader's high profile comments
about the 'crisis of masculinity', however the overwhelming view by
respondents indicated the belief that these comments were merely providing
'lip service', and that the ALP would 'not introduce any meaningful changes'
to ensure that fathers are treated equally under the law.



Even more surprising was that 27% of total respondents were female, and
these were comprised primarily of grandmothers, followed closely by
second-wives, females in general, and a smaller percentage were of
non-custodial mothers.



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For further information contact:

Ashwin Patil: President

Fathers4Equality Australia
PO Box 1264
Portland Vic 3305