Comments on: Are the issues different? Our first day in Hobart http://hreocblog.com/2007/12/13/are-the-issues-different-our-first-day-in-hobart%e2%80%a6tuesday-11-december-2007/ blog.humanrights.gov.au Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:49:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Pat http://hreocblog.com/2007/12/13/are-the-issues-different-our-first-day-in-hobart%e2%80%a6tuesday-11-december-2007/#comment-182 Pat Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:02:35 +0000 http://hreocblog.com/2007/12/13/are-the-issues-different-our-first-day-in-hobart%e2%80%a6tuesday-11-december-2007/#comment-182 I am particularly interested in how we can rectify the injustices done to women in the superannuation area by the policy of exclusion on the basis of marital status/ temporary or contract employment. I now look forward to retirement and poverty or working until I am well into my 70's to make up the difference between my super and that of a male of similar age and work history. I am particularly interested in how we can rectify the injustices done to women in the superannuation area by the policy of exclusion on the basis of marital status/ temporary or contract employment. I now look forward to retirement and poverty or working until I am well into my 70’s to make up the difference between my super and that of a male of similar age and work history.

]]> By: Cameron http://hreocblog.com/2007/12/13/are-the-issues-different-our-first-day-in-hobart%e2%80%a6tuesday-11-december-2007/#comment-89 Cameron Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:26:58 +0000 http://hreocblog.com/2007/12/13/are-the-issues-different-our-first-day-in-hobart%e2%80%a6tuesday-11-december-2007/#comment-89 I was lucky enough to take part in the Listening Tour in Hobart. I would like to point out that all of the issues we discussed came with their own individual sets of stereotypes and associated images. I believe that the issues themselves, as well as these associated stereotypes, could be prevented by examining gender education throughout infant education, and then again in highschool when sexuality becomes a key issue for many. I was lucky enough to take part in the Listening Tour in Hobart. I would like to point out that all of the issues we discussed came with their own individual sets of stereotypes and associated images. I believe that the issues themselves, as well as these associated stereotypes, could be prevented by examining gender education throughout infant education, and then again in highschool when sexuality becomes a key issue for many.

]]> By: Anonymous http://hreocblog.com/2007/12/13/are-the-issues-different-our-first-day-in-hobart%e2%80%a6tuesday-11-december-2007/#comment-86 Anonymous Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:52:06 +0000 http://hreocblog.com/2007/12/13/are-the-issues-different-our-first-day-in-hobart%e2%80%a6tuesday-11-december-2007/#comment-86 Dear Liz, I was one of the women who recently spoke to you at the Annie Kenney young Women's Refuge (Lurline). On the different matter of ageing women's economic problems - I would like to add personal information to the effect that - because I was unable to access superannuation funds through my work in earlier years - I had to return to work at the age of 66yrs, because I found it was impossible to maintain a house on my own and pay service bills etc. on the old age pension. I am now 72yrs old and still working. I took out a $40,000.00 Home Equity loan (like reverse mortgage) with the Commonwealth Bank before I was able to re-commence working. This loan is now charging 9.5% interest (compounding) and if I don't keep on working to pay the interest the bank will very quickly gobble up my home. As you know, I love my work and am dedicated to it - but long hours are having a deleterious effect on my health and the constant worry of not being able to meet the greedy interest rate payments is very stressful. There must be many other women in the same position who (unlike me) are unable to work and are watching their homes (which they have worked for all their lives) being grabbed back by greedy banks who know we are powerless to demand a fairer interest rate and terms. Paying it back, out of a pension, is impossible - and women don't realise this until they have been forced in to the situation of using their only asset to try to achieve a liveable income. Yours sincerely Lurline Dear Liz,

I was one of the women who recently spoke to you at the Annie Kenney young Women’s Refuge (Lurline).

On the different matter of ageing women’s economic problems - I would like to add personal information to the effect that - because I was unable to access superannuation funds through my work in earlier years - I had to return to work at the age of 66yrs, because I found it was impossible to maintain a house on my own and pay service bills etc. on the old age pension. I am now 72yrs old and still working.

I took out a $40,000.00 Home Equity loan (like reverse mortgage) with the Commonwealth Bank before I was able to re-commence working.

This loan is now charging 9.5% interest (compounding) and if I don’t keep on working to pay the interest the bank will very quickly gobble up my home.

As you know, I love my work and am dedicated to it - but long hours are having a deleterious effect on my health and the constant worry of not being able to meet the greedy interest rate payments is very stressful.

There must be many other women in the same position who (unlike me) are unable to work and are watching their homes (which they have worked for all their lives) being grabbed back by greedy banks who know we are powerless to demand a fairer interest rate and terms. Paying it back, out of a pension, is impossible - and women don’t realise this until they have been forced in to the situation of using their only asset to try to achieve a liveable income.

Yours sincerely

Lurline

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