Welfare reform in the radical sixties

Separate payments to cover housing;

Government to take full financial responsibility for the welfare of families;

No suggestion of 'deserving' help;

Consideration given to suitable employment for mothers;

Family day care to be provided for children, including atplaces ofemployment; Counsellors to work with prisoners to ensure they do not become demoralised at lack of immediate employment on leaving jail;

Industrial work in prisons so prisoners can learn skills;

Information on separation law available.

The report was forwarded to government departments, Federal Parliamentarians, and the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Fronting the director

After the report was put to bed Throssell, in his role as supervisor of the student training unit in Queensland State Children Department, called on the Director, Charlie Clark, expecting a cool reception. But Clark smiled and said quietly "That was a good report".

When the report was released to the public on 19 May 1967 Throssell was interviewed by Derek White of ABC Radio. In July Lawrie Hayes addressed the State Liberal Womens' Council, reported in the Sunday Mail with the headline 'Desertion ... wives face grim choice' and in the Courier-Mail 'Nothing done for deserted wives'.

On 9 August Throssell's feature in the Courier-Mail was headlined 'Poverty of deserted wives in Queensland' with sub-head 'Allowance not enough to buy family's food'. The story recommended abolition of discrimination betweendifferent kinds of widows, and employment opportunities for Mums with kids.

It was suggestedgovernment resources be employed to keep familes together at home in the long-term interests of the children, hopefully thus resulting in fewer demands on prisons, health services, psychiatric hospitals, childrens' homes.