26th June 2003 - 12 Point Plan
Downloads
- 12 Point Plan, pdf format, high quality (640kb)
- 12 Point Plan, pdf format, high quality (286kb)
- Voting Delegates, pdf format
- Press Release, pdf format

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The Twelve Point Plan is the first major initiative for fatherhood at Parliament House, Canberra. It points the way forward for the restoration of fatherhood for Australia. On 10th February 2003, over 35 people, representing many organisations, gathered for the inaugural National Fathering Forum organised by the Fatherhood Foundation, at Parliament House, Canberra. Delegates came at their own cost with the common goal to strengthen and support Australian fathers and 'to turn the tide of fatherlessness' that exists in Australia.

The forum delegates who presented papers are united by the common belief that fatherlessness and family breakdown are major social problems in Australian society. The Twelve Point Plan was agreed upon by a consensus of the delegates. (View this document at www.fathersonline.org after release) [See Downloads] This policy document is the first of many proposals to promote discussion and contribute to a coordinated national solution to turn the tide of fatherlessness.

Research indicates that boys from fatherless homes are five times more likely to commit suicide, fourteen times more likely to commit rape, nine times more likely to drop out of high school, ten times more likely to abuse chemicals and twenty times more likely to end up in prison. Fatherlessness is estimated to cost Australia in excess of thirteen billion dollars per year.

The Fatherhood Foundation would like to thank the Hon Paul Calvert, President of the Senate. Without his kind support the Fathering Forum would not have achieved its current status. We also commend parliamentarians from different parties in both Houses who supported the National Fathering Forum Open Session by their attendance and input on 10th February 2002. We invite further comment and look forward to the National Fatherhood Conference to be held on 18th & 19th August 2003 in Federal Parliament with a National Fatherhood Summit to be held August 2004.

Warwick Marsh & Richard Yiap
Convenors - Fathering Forum
0418 225 212 or 0407 779930

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