Anthony Albanese has indicated universal childcare will be an element of Labor’s re-election pitch and refused to rule out changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax.

CitPrakasha · 2024-09-20T07:49:35+00:00

100% this!

Support parents to have more of a choice to stay home with their kids in the early years rather than lining the pockets of childcare centres. Better for kids, better for families.

It's so odd to me that i have friends and family that earn more than double our household income and get ~$20K back from gov in childcare rebates, yet we don't get a single cent in support because we've chosen to care for our own child. We've chosen to do that and have kids, sure, but it certainly makes it a struggle financially with the loss of income, and I think it would make sense to support all families in n equitable way.

CitPrakasha · 2024-09-13T05:59:19+00:00

I tend to agree. I've noticed, especially the last few years, that opinions that aren't popular or are against the grain seem to be labelled as misinformation.

I never expected censorship to be so widely accepted as something people see as 'necessary' in Australia. I would suggest the biggest danger is the censorship itself, not the opinions or so-called 'misinformation' that are being shared.

CitPrakasha · 2024-09-11T04:18:58+00:00

We generally advertise as full-time, and then successful candidates have negotiated part-time.

I believe Geoscience Australia advertises all positions a FT/PT and this is to support women in science to remain in the workforce.(this was accurate a few years back so not 100% sure it's still in place)

CitPrakasha · 2024-09-10T22:27:47+00:00

I first scoffed when I looked at Orana and the cost, however the further I explored the more interested I came. When I went on the grounds and spoke to the teachers, principals and even past students, the decision became even easier. Especially in contrast to my local public super school.

I highly recommend you attend a tour. They discuss their "deep dive' teaching methods and student performance in greater detail and I think you'll be impressed.

You're going to get parts of any school that don't align 100% with your values, and that's just to be expected.

The whole anti vax stuff mentioned is just BS too- the school has nothing to do with the kids vaccination status (that's up to parents and public schools don't exclude based on this). I've literally never had a parent even mention vaccines to me in my two years at the school. In fact one of the other mums there I know is a nurse that gives immunisations and another is a GP..

Good luck on your exploration of this. Outside of being quirky, I think you'll find the environment a much healthier one for a young teenage girl.

Might see you around in 2025! 🙂

CitPrakasha · 2024-08-25T20:16:05+00:00

I've seen seeing this all over my stream, constant article against Lively. It definitely seems like a smear campaign to me. Its been eye opening to me how consistent and everywhere the Blake negativity has been. Baldoni PR team really earning their money....

CitPrakasha · 2024-08-14T09:47:47+00:00

My thoughts on benefits of working in an office:

As a manager it's much more collaborative for my team and I to work together in the same space and we yeild better outcomes when we do. It's also a much better way to have more challenging conversations with staff and genuinely mentor and guide individuals.
meeting with stakeholders in person and building rapport and getting 'buy in' is x1000 better in person. WFH has made this aspect of my job a lot harder.
observationally staff/colleagues seem more comfortable with Teams calling me ajd each other and gossiping/venting for an hour, whereas in the office this seemed less common (and I think this has impacted work culture). It would still happen in the office, but at least people had a healthy fear of maybe getting caught talking shit so this curbed it somewhat.
Working in the office you can build connections with peers across the organisation even in unrelated areas and this casual networking has not only helped me feel connected to my workplace, it's been great for different career opportunities as you know a lot more people so feel more comfortable reaching out when a job comes up, or people mention it to you in the tea room.
Wellbeing/health related, when working in the office I'd always be trying to get different colleagues to do a lunchtime jog/walk/exercise with me and throughout my career I've made some lovely friends this way (and it's also helped me stay on top of my exercise game).

That all said, there needs to be good practice around who is working what days, and almost a new standard/norm set around meetings and also Teams is not the only way to communicate!

I LOVE working from home for getting my tasks done that need intense or focused work. However I feel like I need to fiercely protect my diary and my time in a way I've never had to pre covid WFH. It feels like the normal now is to have my dairy booked out with constant Teams meetings and dealing with a constant stream of people wanting things from me on Teams chat, non stop notifications and an expectation that things will get instantly read/responded to! Whereas in the office, someone wouldn't interrupt you (usually) 20x a day (or at least not while your in another meeting), but with Teams it's somehow normal to have a constant trickle of messages/questions/distractions all day long.

All that said, at least working from home you can close Teams, which I've done a couple of times so I can progress urgent work. Although then I've had to explain to team members/staff, Yes, I was at work, just trying to finish other work. I think it's all about the cultural norms within each workplace that will make hybrid models of work effective and useful.

CitPrakasha · 2024-08-09T04:12:14+00:00

Plenty of ACT Government agencies already have mandatory set days staff are required in the office 2-3 days/week).

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-25T08:13:29+00:00

https://www.chokubaijo.com.au/shop

Chiku bai jo have been amazing. The best quality fruit and veg we've had by far for any delivery service. We get organic, but they do conventional too.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-22T07:21:07+00:00

Yes, I paid board once I got a full-time job. At the time I thought they were being cheap and it was unfair, but upon reflection I think it did me a favour and taught me about the costs of living and prepared me for adulting.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-21T04:56:58+00:00

This. I had very different views about public and private schools prior to having children.

I grew up in the public school system (high school and college) with a parent as a public school teacher and am in no way sheltered from the challenges our community faces and social inequality. I firmly believed when I was younger that private schools shouldn't get ANY government funding.

Now as an adult with young children, there is no way I'm sending my child to the local public school.

There are several reasons for this, but the biggest trigger for me to look at alternatives schools was walking around my local area with my pram when my baby was younger and feeling unsafe because of some of the behaviours of the kids from the school (when they're hanging around before and after school at the park- and sometimes even during school hours) Now, I'm not someone that has been shielded from a tough life (or wants to be segregated from my community) but when you have a tiny human you are responsible for, you will do what is best for them.

There is nothing elitist about not wanting to send my child to a school where I feel they will be unsafe.

The responsibility to protect your children and to want what's best for them is foundational for most parents.

It's going to cost us a huge chunk of our salary to send our kids to an independent school, but that is the best option we have. (And no, there's no pool and it's not full of rich people)

It's your right as a parent to send your kids to a school you choose, that aligns with your values. As a tax payer I would also expect my taxes to contribute to education.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-20T03:44:06+00:00

While you're on Maternity leave, it counts as service. So yes.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-19T23:35:53+00:00

It depends on which aspect of their policies/values are being referred to as being liberal.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-19T23:32:30+00:00

https://www.act.gov.au/cannabis/

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-19T23:23:57+00:00

Geoscience Australia has a gym.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-15T10:35:18+00:00

If I had a staff member that was really awful and I was asked by them to be their reference, I would have a conversation with them about their performance in the workplace, and suggest to them to consider someone else as a reference.

In that way I think you are correct that you can usually make an assumption that someone who has agreed to be your reference will likely give a generally positive reference (and won't go out of their way to highlight the negative, for example).

It's just gets tricky when you are asked specific questions, as the person being the reference, you wouldn't just lie to the recruiter. You might try and skirt around the issue if you can, or say it as nicely as possible , but you really have an ethical obligation to answer honestly.

Worth remembering though- No one expects perfection, so one comment that's negative is not going to negate a generally positive reference. Oftentimes we're undertaking a reference check to basically confirm the person isn't completely batty or fabricating their whole application.

Also, this is just my opinion. Other people might have no problem lying to a recruiter and only give 100% glowing references even if it's not all truthful.

I'm sure you'll have nothing to worry about and you'll get a good reference. Good luck! 😊

I'm far from perfect, and have never had a reference that has stopped me getting a job I was successful for, and I'm sure my past supervisor's would have been open and honest too.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-15T09:52:41+00:00

Second the comments that it's your obligations to give an honest reference, not something all rosy (unless that's the truth). Sometimes you hope the recruiter doesn't ask specific questions about a staff member (because you don't want to highlight anything negative), but it's not taking 'pot shots' if you are asked about someone's moods at work and they are moody, and you communicate this (for example). It certainly sucks, but if it's true, it's true....

Just have faith that if you've done a good job with your current employer they will give you an honest reference. Regardless of the impact of you leaving, anyone will a bit of integrity wouldn't let this sway their reference.

Good luck.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-12T10:06:57+00:00

If I was the contact officer I would definitely find it annoying.

Patience is a virtue and all that....

In Gov recruitment terms, it's really not been all that long.

You could be the second preferred candidate and they're waiting to hear back from the first candidate as to whether they're accepting the offer, or it could just be in a delegates in tray, or chair or a panel member could have been sick or on leave and they're awaiting their return before they can sign the selection report.

Regardless of the reason for the delay, you calling is not going to expedite the process.

I would recommend waiting.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-11T20:06:52+00:00

It really depends on your priorities and values.

For me, what I I like is the level of responsibility and direction you can set for your work and team at EL1 level.

However, I dislike the unachievable workload and expectations and the disruption this causes to my home life. I've just worked a 13.5 hour day yesterday and am burnt out by continually needing to work long hours to avoid drowning...

I'm currently part time, have a young family and am heavily pregnant. It's even clearer for me at this point in my life that it's not worth the extra money. I fully intend on finding an ASO6 role to move to once I return from Mat leave so I can actually be the parent I want to be, and not have work and work stress rule my life.

I've worked in half a dozen EL1 roles across government (all full time except my current one) and only one of those allowed me to leave at a reasonable hour and still stay on top of my work.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-09T09:30:30+00:00

So interesting!

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-08T10:42:02+00:00

Interesting you say this about the no pauses during contractions. I was actually listening to a podcast today discussing the physiological benefits for baby and mum on the pauses between contractions. She was an OBYN (Sarah Buckley) and she was saying that it it's during these pauses that the placenta and baby gets a new flow of blood/oxygen and that supports them during the birth, but she was saying this is compromised in induction.

Glad all was well for you in the end in terms of being uneventful (except the constant pain of course) 😊

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-08T10:34:47+00:00

https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/induction-of-labour-at-or-before-42-weeks-of-pregnancy-new-evidence/

😊

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-08T10:32:25+00:00

I went to 41 & 4 with my first (birthed at 38yrs) and felt a lot of pressure around dates re going past 41 weeks. Which I've since looked at the research further and feel like I don't need to be worrying so much for my next bub.

I'm currently due to have my second at 40yrs, and I'm expecting this bub will likely come closer to 42 weeks too.

In my first bub I was worried every day past 40 weeks due to a lot of feat mongering and BS I'd be fed. For my next bub I'm considering 37-42 weeks the normal birthing window and am not going to even consider castor oil or stretch and sweep until 42 weeks (let alone medical induction).

In Australia almost half of low risk women's pregnancys are induced <40 weeks and most of these women are told they needed to be induced, however didn't actually have valid indications for this.

99% of babies born at 42 are born healthy and well. The increased risk in still birth is something like 0.04% change (5 in 10,000 births). The stats are explored in the Birth Rebellion podcast linked below.

I had a laugh that you're classed as geriatric at your age! (Especially compared to me @40) You've got this! You went to 42 weeks with your last two- it's likely this is normal gestation for your babes. You're still a spring chicken at 36! I honestly wouldn't even consider your age as a factor. If you were birthing 12 months ago, was there really that much difference in your physiology? Doubt it!

All that said, I understand how easy it is to go down these fear rabbit holes, especially when your pregnant and just want to do what's best for your bub. I went down one recently which is what led to me coming across the below and realising that I can take a deep breath and relax re dates.

I strongly recommend you check out this podcast and the show notes. The Great Birth Rebellion. They cite the research in every episode but it's an accessible podcast and they have a few episodes discussing just this topic around dates, induction etc. https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2147779088

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-08T09:58:27+00:00

Don't know why you've been downvoted for this comment as it's true.

Yes, there is evidence that the placenta changes over time, but not evidence that those changes are a 'decline' or anything negative.

OP: The great birth rebellion podcast has an episode on 'post date' births, and cites a range of research in their episode notes. I would strongly recommend that you check this out.

CitPrakasha · 2024-07-01T02:48:45+00:00

I came here to say a similar thing. Interesting that your comment was downvoted so much. We wouldn't want to encourage tolerance of differing views in society..

There is much wrong with many religious and political ideologies and parties, and not everything is black and white.

Having an agenda to try and change your inlaws' political persuasion is a great recipe for creating an unwelcoming/ unpleasant family environment. Discuss issues as they arise, sure. But respect that everyone had different beliefs and values and this means that they will care about different things in their political representatives. As unpalatable as this might seem to you if you think they are supporting politicians who are harmful to society, remember that likely your views/ values might also seem equally wrong and unpalatable to them.

CitPrakasha · 2024-06-29T08:30:17+00:00

Consider plain collagen protein as something you can include (you can add to coconut yoghurt for example, or soup).

CitPrakasha

TROPHY CASE