Kate handed chance to reach the summit

By Melissa Grant
KATE HANDS describes herself as the average working class Aussie.
And it’s the reason she could be taking a seat at Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 2020 Summit in Canberra this month.
The senior manager for a Dandenong paint manufacturer, and mother of three living in Pakenham, is one of two people left in a Herald Sun competition that invited readers to put their hands up to attend.
Mrs Hands, 27, believed she had plenty to contribute to the April 19-20 convention at Parliament House which aims to help shape a long term strategy for the nation’s future.
“I’ve got an opinion on everything – sometimes to my own detriment,” she said.
“You had to write a statement of 100 words or less nominating yourself or someone else. On a whim I just thought I’ll tell you that I’m middle class Australia.”
The summit covers many topics including the economy, infrastructure, the environment, health care and how the current system of government can be improved.
Mrs Hands believed it was important for the blue and white collar workers of her generation to have a say on the country’s future.
“Despite being younger, in 2020 it will be my generation at the helm of Australia,” she said.
“I’m not overly educated, there are a lot of doctors and lawyers attending the summit but I feel I’ve got achievements that are more family focused.”
Mrs Hands has plenty of ideas for the summit including the introduction of paid maternity leave, changes to the baby bonus and increasing of childcare benefits. But she dismissed her peers’ complaints of a home affordability crisis.
“My generation are soft. I think the complaints you get from the mid 20s that it’s so hard to buy a house is because they’re spoilt and cushioned by the government. The generations that are running it now they’ve seen wars, depression and recessions,” Mrs Hands said.
“There needs to be some challenges in life, otherwise when my generation gets to the top end we’re going to be wussies.”
Mrs Hands will discover later this week if she has been chosen to attend the summit.