The write thing

LIA BIICHEL
JOHN Howard welcomed her son into the world, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard has refused.
Narre Warren resident Kate Dunkley said she wanted each of her sons to have a letter from the Prime Minister acknowledging their births as a keepsake.
When she had her first son in 2005, Ms Dunkley asked then Prime Minister John Howard if he would write a letter and he obliged. But she was shocked to learn Ms Gillard would not do the same for Ms Dunkley’s second son Brodie, who was born last year in July.
The letter from assistant secretary Peter Rush, on behalf of Prime Minister Gillard said the Prime Minister sent written messages of congratulations to Australian citizens and permanent residents celebrating golden (50th) and subsequent wedding anniversaries and 90th and subsequent birthdays on request. This message service did not extend to acknowledging births.
“As you can appreciate, the Prime Minister receives numerous requests from a large number of organisations and individuals for messages and letters of support or endorsement for a variety of purposes, including commemorative events, and very special occasions involving national organisations or representatives of Australia at major international events,” Mr Rush wrote.
“It is not possible for the Prime Minister to agree to all the requests she receives. On this occasion, I regret that the Prime Minister is unable to provide a message.”
But Ms Dunkley did not appreciate the reply.
“Why would (the Federal Government) take the time and effort to send me a letter to say they won’t send a welcoming letter for my son?” Ms Dunkley asked.
“I thought it would be a nice keepsake for my children and I didn’t want a letter for one and not the other.”