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    <title>Strengthening Stepfamilies Petition: Signature List Feed</title>
    <link>http://www.gopetition.com/signatures/strengthening-stepfamilies.html</link>
    <description>Online petition signatures</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <lastBuildDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:31 UTC</lastBuildDate>
    <generator>GoPetition RSS Feed Generator</generator>
    <copyright>Copyright 2026 GoPetition</copyright>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Uthpala Gunethilake [Signature #195]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/17607562?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Uthpala Gunethilake, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2014 02:07:36 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">17607562</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>mrs Anonymous [Signature #194]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/11864872?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Anonymous, Australia<p>Step parents should be given the same rights as biological parents if they have had the children for a set number of years. if they have proven themselves to be a good parent they deserve the recognition of their part in the childrens lives.Just because you are called a biological mum and dad the word means nothing without the best interests of the childs interests being met and many step parents offer the child a better stable and caring environment than those who actually conceived the childre</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:11:24 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">11864872</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mr Eric Oppel [Signature #193]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/8468253?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Eric Oppel, Tarbuck Bay, NSW, Australia<p>Services seem to be more focused on separating stepfamilies having difficulties than assisting them to work through it and stay together. Men are automatically treated as being in the wrong &amp; straight away cut off from their step families without the true facts being looked at.  eg.It&#039;s impossible for a man to help his step family when his wife is violent due to depression &amp; menopause and he is blamed &amp; isolated by social workers and police with jaded, biased, preconcieved views of what&#039;s real.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 9 Sep 2010 08:29:03 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">8468253</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Lisa Chen [Signature #192]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/8143238?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Lisa Chen, Australia<p>Help us to help our kids...<br />
There is so much help for them, but what about us ?</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:53:18 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">8143238</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Annemarie Price [Signature #191]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/7991686?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Annemarie Price, Lake Illawarra, NSW, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:08:38 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">7991686</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Sandra Meotti [Signature #190]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/7522053?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Sandra Meotti, PERTH, WA, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 5 May 2010 03:54:12 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">7522053</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Trudy Cull [Signature #189]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/7432394?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Trudy Cull, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:20:18 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">7432394</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mr Jeff McArthur [Signature #188]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6414772?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Jeff McArthur, Australia<p>Please provide support for parents of stepchildren to assist the children in managing a huge burden involved in families that separate and then intergrate into blended families.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 2 Nov 2009 03:54:43 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6414772</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Pattie Olman [Signature #187]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6245599?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Pattie Olman, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:03:27 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6245599</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Margot Barnett [Signature #186]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6170867?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Margot Barnett, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 8 Sep 2009 09:42:50 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6170867</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Kate Deacock [Signature #185]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6166838?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Kate Deacock, Australia<p>In this day and age of multiculturalism and more and more blended families of all types world wide it would seem imperative that more support be available to such families.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 7 Sep 2009 11:11:55 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6166838</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Samantha Fieldes [Signature #184]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6166687?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Samantha Fieldes, Sydney, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 7 Sep 2009 10:22:58 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6166687</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Jessica Paterson [Signature #183]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6103293?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Jessica Paterson, Perth, WA, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:50:31 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6103293</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Anonymous [Signature #182]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6089860?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Anonymous, Queensland, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:34:42 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6089860</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ms cheri glover [Signature #181]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6041429?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ms cheri glover, castlemaine, vic, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:13:50 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6041429</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mr` Dan Colgan [Signature #180]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6008885?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr` Dan Colgan, Thornlie, WA, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 6 Aug 2009 09:32:34 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6008885</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Joanne Broecks [Signature #179]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6001383?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Joanne Broecks, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 4 Aug 2009 10:16:56 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">6001383</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Denise Gilbane [Signature #178]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5904760?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Denise Gilbane, WA, Australia<p>Great to have services available for Stepfamilies.  Important issue!</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:33:18 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5904760</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Fiona Thomas [Signature #177]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5805073?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Fiona Thomas, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 1 Jul 2009 04:14:57 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5805073</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>adam wallace-mitchell [Signature #176]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5703644?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[adam wallace-mitchell, MELBOURNE, VIC, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:38:24 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5703644</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KRISTY CLARKE [Signature #175]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5703640?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[KRISTY CLARKE, MELBOURNE, VIC, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:37:29 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5703640</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kerry Day [Signature #174]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5591053?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Kerry Day, Docklands, Victoria, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2009 08:45:20 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5591053</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Lisa Romano [Signature #173]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5501081?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Lisa Romano, St Albans, VIC, Australia<p>I would like to see agencies such as Stepfamilies Australia receiving more resources for reading information and courses. From a personal level, I feel clarity is due on how rights &amp; benefits are distributed ie. as &#039;step-mum&#039; to a re-partnered man &amp; his son; I am caught in a loop - no access to any first home owners or such as I am deemed worthy on my partner&#039;s prior assets which he lost. It seems a little punitive &amp; should be assessed on a case by case basis.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2009 12:49:43 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5501081</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Nicole Foster [Signature #172]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5491963?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Nicole Foster, Narellan Vale, NSW, Australia<p>I received no child support from my ex and because I have remarried I receive no Family Assistance.<br />
My current husband pays $200pw for 1 child is ex earns the same as I do &amp; still get Family Assistance &amp; lives in housing commission.<br />
I appeared on ACA with Joe Ludwig and was told they are looking out for the best interest of the children.<br />
Where do my children fit into their system.  How are my childrens best interest being looked after.<br />
I have written to the government &amp; no one will answer my ?</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2009 02:48:06 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5491963</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Meg Ulman [Signature #171]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5437343?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Meg Ulman, Daylesford, Australia, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 6 May 2009 09:07:27 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5437343</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Andrea Johnson [Signature #170]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5427227?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Andrea Johnson, Bayswater North, VIC, Australia<p>Access to services and support is so vital for these families. The children of step families experience a complex shuffling of money that means that no matter how hard their parents &amp; step parents work there is always less than this wage available to meet the family expenses.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 5 May 2009 04:25:17 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5427227</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Beidi Xu [Signature #169]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5391693?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Beidi Xu, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:06:40 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5391693</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>mrs Lisa Webb [Signature #168]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5330604?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[mrs Lisa Webb, Hoddles creek, Australia, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:38:20 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5330604</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Maria Lynton [Signature #167]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5322711?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Maria Lynton, Kilsyth, VIC, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:23:07 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5322711</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Louise Bassett [Signature #166]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5296550?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Louise Bassett, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:34:48 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5296550</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Miss Joanne Griffiths [Signature #165]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5281663?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Miss Joanne Griffiths, Maida Vale, WA, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:30:44 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5281663</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Kerryn Ellis [Signature #164]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5233231?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Kerryn Ellis, Seaford, Victoria, Australia<p>The unique and challenging circumstances of step-family life are undervalued and poorly understood by most institutions in Australia - including schools - despite being very common.  Funding and other resources need to be directed toward providing specific support for people in this situation so that children - and parents! - in step-families can have the same opportunities to thrive that other children have.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 4 Apr 2009 11:45:14 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5233231</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Sophie Merchant [Signature #163]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5195028?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Sophie Merchant, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2009 09:41:07 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5195028</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Daisy Finlay [Signature #162]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5192194?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Daisy Finlay, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:26:48 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5192194</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Kate Morris [Signature #161]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5159990?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Kate Morris, Australia<p>There are not enough resources for children, particularly teenagers, to prepare and give them to be able to discuss the issues<br />
of being in a step family.</p>

<p>There needs to be a greater understanding of<br />
prenups.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:14:38 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5159990</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Cheryl Lyons [Signature #160]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5151662?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Cheryl Lyons, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:12:16 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5151662</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Debbie Alkemade [Signature #159]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5135538?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Debbie Alkemade, Pakenham, Victoria, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:44:25 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5135538</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Tamara White [Signature #158]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/5009813?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Tamara White, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:46:30 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">5009813</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Tina Schiano [Signature #157]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4988447?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Tina Schiano, St Ives, NSW, Australia<p>Most people have the guidance of family/friends to help out with child rearing.  Not so for those of us who &#039;inherit&#039; children.</p>

<p>I also believe that most fathers don&#039;t truly become &#039;a parent&#039; until they&#039;re separated/divorced and the lack of know-how in the shift from part-time to full-time parenting has an impact on all involved.  I&#039;d love to see more coaching/support for dad&#039;s who have recently separated (as well as their future partners) - does this exist? If so can you send me more info?</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:00:15 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4988447</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Harriet Playle [Signature #156]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4983797?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Harriet Playle, Austria<p>Step parent support -networking and telephone advice would be fantastic-I have suffered for 7 years and still facing unique challenges</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:20:49 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4983797</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Evelene Goodsir-Cullen [Signature #155]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4982012?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Evelene Goodsir-Cullen, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:45:32 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4982012</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mr Alex Pantazis [Signature #154]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4951311?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Alex Pantazis, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:33:16 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4951311</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>mrs Jocelyn Muir [Signature #153]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4923550?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[mrs Jocelyn Muir, Kandos, NSW, Australia<p>Step families could use some more help in the sense that it means starting over from many situations&quot; for children for parents &amp; extended families&quot; it has already taken courage to move on in most cases &amp; start to rebuild, so with Gods help &amp; the help of such a service it would be greatly appreciated for all parties concerned, we all need a little encouragement sometimes to see that some mountains are actually mole hills  when viewed with someone elses compassion &amp; wisdom.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:59:42 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4923550</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Jill McDonald [Signature #152]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4923241?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Jill McDonald, Ormiston, Qld, Australia<p>It is imperative that step-families be given the same rights as biological families in most instances.  Especially when a step-parent has 50% / shared care of the step-children due to marriage.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:25:53 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4923241</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Debbie Boxsell [Signature #151]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4923215?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Debbie Boxsell, RYLSTONE, NSW, Australia<p>Please help stepfamilies to be a family too.  Many people discard step members of the stepfamily, making it difficult emotionally and practically.  On the legal aspects it can be very difficult for many stepparents to be able to carry out normal everyday things because of stepparents not being able to sign legally for their step-child that is in their full-time care.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:16:18 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4923215</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Denise Flett [Signature #150]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4918181?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Denise Flett, PARKWOOD, QLD, Australia<p>It would be great to be able to access counselling to improve step parent child relationships in our household.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:02:11 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4918181</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Anonymous [Signature #149]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4912386?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Anonymous, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 9 Feb 2009 10:26:31 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4912386</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms. Ali Stephenson [Signature #148]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4912020?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms. Ali Stephenson, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 9 Feb 2009 08:58:55 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4912020</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Kirsty O'Shea-Wiadrowski [Signature #147]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4883755?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Kirsty O&#039;Shea-Wiadrowski, Australia<p>Step families need all the assitance, support &amp; understanding they can get.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 4 Feb 2009 11:58:04 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4883755</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Alison Spragg [Signature #146]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4869246?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Alison Spragg, Australia<p>I am the step-mother of 2 children who have orphaned under the WHO guidelines (mother is deceased).<br />
I am fighting Centrelink for benefits as I am raising these children. HIC says I am entitled under the Act but Centrelink won&#039;t pay.<br />
It has nothing to do with the father&#039;s income as he is living overseas but I had custody of the children ( I had to send<br />
the son to a childless Aunt recently because he was becoming violent toward my girls, his sister &amp; my 84yo father who lives with us).<br />
Help</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 2 Feb 2009 03:50:29 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4869246</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Cassandra Gocher [Signature #145]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4867998?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Cassandra Gocher, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 1 Feb 2009 04:50:47 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4867998</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Carol Morgan [Signature #144]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4851852?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Carol Morgan, Currambine, WA, Australia<p>As a step mother who has lost all contact with my step children since they reported abuse at home (with their biological mother) and since my partner died and to be told I have no rights because I&#039;m not a parent I would like some changes to the laws and to family court processes.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:48:55 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4851852</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>eliza finn [Signature #143]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4799858?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[eliza finn, Australia<p>any support for the difficult task of step parenting would make our world better!!</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2009 07:41:45 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4799858</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dr Penny Watson [Signature #142]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4792166?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Dr Penny Watson, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:15:10 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4792166</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mr Michael Georgeson [Signature #141]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4782706?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Michael Georgeson, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:48:31 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4782706</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Sonia Chivers [Signature #140]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4713813?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Sonia Chivers, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:17:28 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4713813</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>mrs Karen SHAW [Signature #139]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4706420?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[mrs Karen SHAW, McDowall, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:28:51 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4706420</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Jill Noble [Signature #138]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4699579?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Jill Noble, Mooroolbark, Vic, Australia<p>More educational and support services are needed to help step families, as these families are just as important as the traditional family unit.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:52:30 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4699579</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Brigette Hobbs [Signature #137]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4697792?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Brigette Hobbs, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:28:09 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4697792</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ms Alexandra Michell [Signature #136]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4684900?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ms Alexandra Michell, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:57:57 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4684900</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Karen Plumridge [Signature #135]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4663217?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Karen Plumridge, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:42:20 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4663217</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Nicole Hore [Signature #134]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4651271?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Nicole Hore, Australia<p>There is no support or recognition for step-parents.  This must change NOW!</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 8 Dec 2008 07:05:29 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4651271</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Anne Pantazis [Signature #133]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4548810?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Anne Pantazis, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 1 Dec 2008 08:50:29 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4548810</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Nicole Fong [Signature #132]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4547559?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Nicole Fong, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 1 Dec 2008 04:17:08 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4547559</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>clarke lloyd [Signature #131]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4543911?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[clarke lloyd, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:33:10 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4543911</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Anonymous [Signature #130]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4533652?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Anonymous, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:16:32 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4533652</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Lora Moulton [Signature #129]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4523216?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Lora Moulton, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:28:40 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4523216</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Belinda Sheehan [Signature #128]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4499144?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Belinda Sheehan, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:41:30 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4499144</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Debbie Ball [Signature #127]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4465563?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Debbie Ball, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:51:38 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4465563</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Kate Webb [Signature #126]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4454500?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Kate Webb, Footscray, Victoria, Australia<p>Stepfamilies  need to be recognised, and support given to enable them to  provide the best possible environment for the children to feel safe and loved. Stepfamilies have enormous stresses on them that &#039;normal&#039; families don&#039;t have; so they need the tools to prevent any further family breakdowns.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 7 Nov 2008 10:02:54 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4454500</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>mrs Adena Silverstein [Signature #125]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4443890?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[mrs Adena Silverstein, Carnegie, Victoria, Australia<p>The needs of Stepfamilies must to be addressed. These needs are unique to the step family situation. Without funding this cannot be achieved.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 6 Nov 2008 03:08:51 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4443890</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Leanne Rivas Vaquerano [Signature #124]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4442718?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Leanne Rivas Vaquerano, Wonga Park, Vic, Australia<p>I&#039;m a stepmother to 3 children.  We have a 1 yr old &quot;ours&quot; child and we have full 50/50 custody.  Their mother has remarried and has a 4yr old.  From a stepmothers point, I deal with the day to day upbringing of our children every second week, I do everything that a natural mother would do, not only do I have to deal with all the emotional stuff that goes back and forward from both houses, I also have to see us be screwed because we have to pay maintenance.  It is killing us.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 5 Nov 2008 05:53:21 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4442718</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Lisa Yates [Signature #123]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4434986?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Lisa Yates, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 4 Nov 2008 05:17:59 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4434986</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Maryse Street [Signature #122]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4425727?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Maryse Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia<p>Divorce rates for 2nd and subsequent marriages are much higher and cost the community largely. Policies and Funding would support step families nationally through specialised education, counselling and family programs.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 2 Nov 2008 06:06:11 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4425727</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Miss Lynda Dennis [Signature #121]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4405629?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Miss Lynda Dennis, South Kingsville, Australia<p>In this day and age of ever increasing stepfamilies, it is almost a crime that stepfathers or stepmothers do not have legal rights to even pick sign a permission form for their childs school trips. What if one of their stepchildren gets sick and requires emergency care? The biological parent is not always there. It is irresponsible that we have antiquated laws that do not acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of stepparents as legal parents of stepchildren.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:14:48 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4405629</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cassie Barlow [Signature #120]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4348238?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Cassie Barlow, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:48:00 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4348238</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>mrs cait oconnell [Signature #119]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4347011?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[mrs cait oconnell, tacoma, wa, United States of America<p>I live in USA. I strongly believe in this as this is not just an Aussie issue, but perhaps a global one. I have one natural born child (a daughter) and have been helping to raise, throughout my lifetime, two boys and four girls that are not my &quot;own&quot;. Your children come to you in many ways, not just from your body, or self. (And sometimes they&#039;re not even human, lol...animal lover, too! :)  Bless those who just love and nurture, for surely it is what we are here for.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:18:38 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4347011</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Jenny Spears [Signature #118]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4340392?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Jenny Spears, Redcliffe, WA, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:51:57 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4340392</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dr Roberto Rodrekus [Signature #117]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4330673?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Dr Roberto Rodrekus, Sydney, NSW, Antigua and Barbuda<p>STEP FAMILIES ARE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FAMILY</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:35:08 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4330673</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Leteisha Wicklander [Signature #116]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4326479?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Leteisha Wicklander, Queensland, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:59:12 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4326479</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Melinda Baker [Signature #115]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4316165?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Melinda Baker, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:57:36 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4316165</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Peta Lowish [Signature #114]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4316020?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Peta Lowish, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:24:12 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4316020</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Claire Mumme [Signature #113]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4311102?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Claire Mumme, Highett, Victoria, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:01:58 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4311102</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Margaret Lange [Signature #112]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4285685?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Margaret Lange, Hampton, VIC, Australia<p>The cost of divorce on each family individual  that undergoes this situation cannot be measured in dollars. It is a life changing experience. It takes years to heal. The effect on our economy is enormous be it by social and emotional problems of effected emerging adults and children, mothers who have to leave their jobs to support their children or Dads who suddenly find themselves living away from their kids and having to pay out money when they are not there. Stop the social problems now that</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 9 Oct 2008 03:38:09 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4285685</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ms amanda farmer [Signature #111]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4251515?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ms amanda farmer, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 2 Oct 2008 06:52:11 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4251515</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Julie Good [Signature #110]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4244939?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Julie Good, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:16:41 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4244939</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Sharon de Haan [Signature #109]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4243692?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Sharon de Haan, Narrewarren north, Vic, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 1 Oct 2008 07:23:26 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4243692</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Hayley McGeever [Signature #108]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4241430?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Hayley McGeever, Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia<p>I am now a step Mum to my soon to be husband&#039;s 2 and a half year old. I have been with him since he was 12 months old and we are starting mediation with his mother about a relocation issue AND IM NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND!!! I can understand if I was just some floozy but we have a mortgage together and Damon is in my care MORE than he is in his father&#039;s care (he works away) but still I am not allowed to attend and put forward how I feel about these issues. Something needs to be done!</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 1 Oct 2008 12:55:01 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4241430</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Miss Murrianna Crouch [Signature #107]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4235558?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Miss Murrianna Crouch, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia<p>Look at developing policies for centerlink &amp; child support as they are both unfair to step families.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:46:21 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4235558</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mr Andrew Host [Signature #106]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4171155?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Andrew Host, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:07:48 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4171155</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Paula Dell [Signature #105]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4170883?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Paula Dell, Ringwood, Victoria, Australia<p>Dear mr Rudd,<br />
Blending a family brings many challenges for parents and it is important that government recognises the changing make up of families and supports these families to work. Otherwise children will be put through the stress of many changes in family make up over time.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:25:25 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4170883</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Cally Cowan [Signature #104]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4165087?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Cally Cowan, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:44:39 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4165087</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Jade Godfellow [Signature #103]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4154187?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Jade Godfellow, Qatar]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:41:58 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4154187</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mr Roger Jenkins [Signature #102]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4126500?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Roger Jenkins, Kariong, NSW, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 9 Sep 2008 10:17:16 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4126500</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Krista Hayden [Signature #101]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4126320?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Krista Hayden, Kariong, NSW, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 9 Sep 2008 09:41:51 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4126320</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ms Fiona Mckeon [Signature #100]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4117906?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ms Fiona Mckeon, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 8 Sep 2008 10:29:55 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4117906</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Kylie Spragg [Signature #99]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4099709?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Kylie Spragg, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 6 Sep 2008 03:16:26 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4099709</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ms katrina bradford [Signature #98]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4099218?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ms katrina bradford, Australia<p>i feel that my own children are not important enough when it comes to child support matters. i have a child with a dissability and my partners children from a previous marriage according to csa is more important than him. we should all be treated equally in a blended family.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 5 Sep 2008 10:45:57 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4099218</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Miss Anonymous [Signature #97]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4092042?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Anonymous, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 5 Sep 2008 05:21:41 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4092042</quid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mrs Stacey Pitman [Signature #96]</title>
      <link>https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4091839?utm_medium=rss</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Stacey Pitman, Australia<p>Give blended families the same rights as &quot;normal&quot; families</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 5 Sep 2008 04:36:52 UTC</pubDate>
      <quid isPermaLink="false">4091839</quid>
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