We won! I started my campaign against ParentsNext in August 2018 when my daughter was 4 years old. She’s nearly 10 now. When I was first subject to the program I was ineligible as per the legislation but the Department would not exit me. I was treated like a useless and petulant child (even though I had a double degree in Social Science and Politics) by the “provider” who threatened me with payment suspension if I didn't sign a privacy waiver giving them the right to call my GP without me knowing. I fought ParentsNext on many fronts and found out the Department was backgrounding me and following my online work and making derogatory comments about me in lunchtime emails. I got my petition signed by 30,000 people (now nearly 50,000) and brought the country along with me in the fight against this program that penalised parents (96% women) for sticking around and doing the job of parenting. I pitched to radio, TV and news outlets constantly to highlight the horror that parents were experiencing. I appeared at 2 out of the 3 inquiries (only missing one as my mother was ill). I advocate for nearly 3000 women on my Facebook group. Today the news came through that the Government will scrap the ParentsNext program from July 2024 and from today mutual obligations and any penalties are suspended/cancelled. Already this morning my Facebook group has been flooded with comments and messages about women receiving texts and emails saying they are no longer compulsory participants. Parents are relieved they can focus on raising their children, instead of worrying if their payments will be suspended because their child is sick in the hospital with COVID and can’t get to swimming lessons. Australia doesn't value parenting but Parenting is Work and cancelling this program is a step in the right direction for the Labor Government.