Yesterday I met with Labor MP Martin Pakula, the Shadow Attorney General.  He was listening, and he gets it. 100%.  Totally supportive of our cause.  In politics, that's the advantage of being the opposition government - you can come out swinging for the community despite not actually being able to deliver much.  However I am confident that Mr Pakula feels as passionately about this as we do, and he will do all he can to apply pressure in parliament to ensure that we achieve the outcomes we desire, as soon as possible.  It is good news that both the sitting AG and the shadow AG are 'onside' with us.  Now we need to turn 'We're Listening' into 'We're Doing'.  Mr Pakula has also agreed to make representations on our behalf to the Federal Attorney General, Robert McClelland.

As you're probably already aware, I've had to re-schedule our national public rally to May 24th, due to the 3rd being Budget Day for Victoria.  This change will allow Mr Clarke and/or Mr Pakula to personally address the rally in Melbourne.  Parliament will also be sitting in QLD, Tas and WA with NSW to be confirmed.  Despite not being a sitting day for SA and NT, politicians will still be asked to attend/speak.  To date the plan is for a 'Pull the Pin' representative in each state to open the rally, followed by a couple of speakers (including politicians and child development experts), ending with a call to action, and a walk to the nearest park/garden (details provided soon) where you will be invited to enjoy a b.y.o. picnic with fun, child-friendly activities.  A co-ordinator for your State will be announced very soon, and they will also help disseminate information locally.

I will also be posting a shout out for appropriate banner slogans to use on the day.  Pull the Pin will endorse slogans that we think are suitable and non offensive, and will encourage a peaceful, polite protest against beauty pageants for children.