Look at how useless the ozLand MPs are....have to quit a cushy job because of stress of not being able to handle young family....and he is a backbench MP. pap MPs the best..the minister can handle multiple portfolios..
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-...es-mirror-on-society/9727494?section=analysis
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ABC NewsANALYSIS & OPINION
MP Tim Hammond's resignation for family reasons shines a mirror on work-life balance
ANALYSIS BY JESSICA STRUTTSAT AT 6:36AM
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PHOTO
Tim Hammond said the rigours of his job had a profound impact on his family.
FACEBOOK: TIM HAMMOND
For most people, finding genuine work-life balance in the modern world is an elusive dream.
But this week Federal Labor MP Tim Hammond put the issue front and centre when he announced his sudden exit from politics, saying the toll the job was having on his young family — including three children under six — was too great.
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
VIDEO 0:52
'A lot of my colleagues make it work, but I'm not one of them': Tim Hammond resigns
ABC NEWS
"The reality is that I thought I had an appreciation of how to manage my duties as a federal Member of Parliament in a way that did not have such an impact on my family," Mr Hammond said.
"I just did not anticipate the profound effect my absence would have on all of us."
Many who heard Mr Hammond explaining the reasons for his shock exit would have had not only an element of sympathy, but also a feeling of "me too".
How easily could so many other professions be inserted in the above quote in place of "federal Member of Parliament."
The not-so family friendly hours of politics — and in particular the long commute WA federal politicians have to make to Canberra — has long been a topic of debate.
PHOTO Tim Hammond explained the reasons for his resignation with his wife Lindsay and seven-month-old son Tully by his side.
AAP: REBECCA LE MAY
Mr Hammond is not the first politician to talk about the impact the cross-country commute has had on his family life, and he is unlikely to be the last.
The Member for Perth did point out however that while he was unable to make it work, some others could.
And it is not just WA's federal politicians who have found balancing a career in politics with family life difficult.
Only a few years ago Brendon Grylls made the shock decision to step down as leader of the WA Nationals and a senior minister in the then Barnett government.
PHOTO Brendon Grylls stepped down from his roles as senior minister and party leader.
ABC NEWS: ANDREW O'CONNOR
He too cited family reasons as a contributing factor, saying he hoped the decision would allow him to attend more of his three sons' school assemblies.
"I'm not complaining, but having your diary compartmentalised in half-hour logs for 12 months in advance and missing important events because of that, that's tricky and difficult," Mr Grylls said back in 2013.
"And it is probably more difficult for someone with a young family."
Politicians can serve as a mirror
Both Mr Hammond and Mr Grylls are young, energetic and highly-talented men who had promising political careers ahead of them.
Federal politicians are supposed to bring the issues in their local electorates to Canberra.
But sometimes, politicians serve as a mirror, reflecting back to us from Canberra the issues facing our broader society.
Mr Hammond's resignation from politics this week is perhaps one such example.
The issue of trying to be all to those we work for and those we love at home is one with which many of us can identify.
Arguably it is part of the reason this country has so few women in senior leadership roles in the workplace.
Parliament a place for parents too
PHOTO Mr McGowan says he tries to spend time with his kids as often as he can.
ABC NEWS: ANDREW O'CONNOR
In an interview to mark the end of last year, Premier Mark McGowan was asked by ABC if one day he might regret or feel guilty about the impact his demanding job could have on his three young children and he responded frankly.
"I may well do, and as they say, no one lies on their death bed wishing they'd spent more time in the office … so spending time with the kids when I can is something I try to do," Mr McGowan said.
Politicians in our parliaments should reflect the broader society on every level, including age, ethnicity, gender and those with and without children.
If the current system makes that hard to achieve then maybe it is time for a debate about how to make it work better.
Hopefully this week's events in politics will prove a timely reminder to all about life's priorities and spark discussion about whether the system can be made more family friendly.
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Tim Hammond quits politics, saying he can't be an MP and a father of three
A political headache for both sides as by-election for Perth comes at an awkward time
WA budget: Here's what it means for you
ANALYSIS & OPINION
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http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-...es-mirror-on-society/9727494?section=analysis
ABC HomeLog In
Search
ABC NewsANALYSIS & OPINION
MP Tim Hammond's resignation for family reasons shines a mirror on work-life balance
ANALYSIS BY JESSICA STRUTTSAT AT 6:36AM
Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
PHOTO
Tim Hammond said the rigours of his job had a profound impact on his family.
FACEBOOK: TIM HAMMOND
For most people, finding genuine work-life balance in the modern world is an elusive dream.
But this week Federal Labor MP Tim Hammond put the issue front and centre when he announced his sudden exit from politics, saying the toll the job was having on his young family — including three children under six — was too great.
Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
VIDEO 0:52
'A lot of my colleagues make it work, but I'm not one of them': Tim Hammond resigns
ABC NEWS
"The reality is that I thought I had an appreciation of how to manage my duties as a federal Member of Parliament in a way that did not have such an impact on my family," Mr Hammond said.
"I just did not anticipate the profound effect my absence would have on all of us."
Many who heard Mr Hammond explaining the reasons for his shock exit would have had not only an element of sympathy, but also a feeling of "me too".
How easily could so many other professions be inserted in the above quote in place of "federal Member of Parliament."
The not-so family friendly hours of politics — and in particular the long commute WA federal politicians have to make to Canberra — has long been a topic of debate.
PHOTO Tim Hammond explained the reasons for his resignation with his wife Lindsay and seven-month-old son Tully by his side.
AAP: REBECCA LE MAY
Mr Hammond is not the first politician to talk about the impact the cross-country commute has had on his family life, and he is unlikely to be the last.
The Member for Perth did point out however that while he was unable to make it work, some others could.
And it is not just WA's federal politicians who have found balancing a career in politics with family life difficult.
Only a few years ago Brendon Grylls made the shock decision to step down as leader of the WA Nationals and a senior minister in the then Barnett government.
PHOTO Brendon Grylls stepped down from his roles as senior minister and party leader.
ABC NEWS: ANDREW O'CONNOR
He too cited family reasons as a contributing factor, saying he hoped the decision would allow him to attend more of his three sons' school assemblies.
"I'm not complaining, but having your diary compartmentalised in half-hour logs for 12 months in advance and missing important events because of that, that's tricky and difficult," Mr Grylls said back in 2013.
"And it is probably more difficult for someone with a young family."
Politicians can serve as a mirror
Both Mr Hammond and Mr Grylls are young, energetic and highly-talented men who had promising political careers ahead of them.
Federal politicians are supposed to bring the issues in their local electorates to Canberra.
But sometimes, politicians serve as a mirror, reflecting back to us from Canberra the issues facing our broader society.
Mr Hammond's resignation from politics this week is perhaps one such example.
The issue of trying to be all to those we work for and those we love at home is one with which many of us can identify.
Arguably it is part of the reason this country has so few women in senior leadership roles in the workplace.
Parliament a place for parents too
PHOTO Mr McGowan says he tries to spend time with his kids as often as he can.
ABC NEWS: ANDREW O'CONNOR
In an interview to mark the end of last year, Premier Mark McGowan was asked by ABC if one day he might regret or feel guilty about the impact his demanding job could have on his three young children and he responded frankly.
"I may well do, and as they say, no one lies on their death bed wishing they'd spent more time in the office … so spending time with the kids when I can is something I try to do," Mr McGowan said.
Politicians in our parliaments should reflect the broader society on every level, including age, ethnicity, gender and those with and without children.
If the current system makes that hard to achieve then maybe it is time for a debate about how to make it work better.
Hopefully this week's events in politics will prove a timely reminder to all about life's priorities and spark discussion about whether the system can be made more family friendly.
SHARE
Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
Tim Hammond quits politics, saying he can't be an MP and a father of three
A political headache for both sides as by-election for Perth comes at an awkward time
WA budget: Here's what it means for you
ANALYSIS & OPINION
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