Socialist candidate returns to campaigning after having baby

August 30, 2004

Monday 30 August 2004. For immediate release.

Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison, Kamala Emanuel, has greeted the coming election campaign with relish – barely five weeks after the birth of her baby daughter.

In the past week, Kamala has been getting back involved in active campaigning – including attending two protests, giving an introductory speech at a video screening about Fidel Castro and distributing Green Left Weekly at the Salamanca Market.

“I’m keen to hit the ground running, though of course I will be taking it one step at a time,” said the new Mum. “Though I think I can safely say there was at least one candidate who was particularly relieved the election wasn’t held on August 7 as initially predicted.”

“I was preselected at the beginning of the year when it looked like the election would be held later in the year and I am proud to be running for the Socialist Alliance,” said Emanuel.

“Actually I think it is very inspiring to demonstrate that women even with young children can be involved in the whole range of social and political activities,” said Emanuel.

On the maternity payment:

“Women deserve paid maternity leave for twelve months. Our policy is that this should be nationally organised and funded by a levy on all employers. This would be better than the inadequate, insulting and misconceived maternity payment offered by the Howard government.”

Pro-choice doctor:

Kamala Emanuel has been a long time campaigner for the right to choose abortion and continues to strongly defend women’s right to choose.

“I watched the documentary My Foetus but it was most disappointing. It tried to project as normal one woman’s experience of pregnancy leading to misgivings about abortion.

“My experience is completely different, which just goes to show that it is a big mistake to draw general conclusions based on limited experience.”

“The whole point about choice is to ensure that all choices – abortion as much as continuing a pregnancy – are available to all women. And I still strongly believe that every child should be a wanted child.”

Thoughts about parenthood:

“My decision to have a baby is a sign of optimism for the future,” said Emanuel.

“As much as anybody, I’m aware of all the problems in the world. You could ask: why bring a child into a world of inequality, injustice and ecological devastation?”

“I take the opposite view. As a socialist, I’m confident that it’s not always going to be this way. I’m confident we truly can win.”

“That’s why I’m running for the Socialist Alliance, because if we don’t take action – now when it is needed – it’ll never get better.”

“But working together with others, you can change the world.”

Kamala Emanuel is available for interview on 0417 319 662.

Rosie Jane Emanuel was born at 11.45pm on Saturday 24 July weighing 3.3 kg (7 lb, 6 oz) after a 19 hour labour. Kamala chose to have a home birth.