Thought for the day, 20 August 2025

Here's a curious thing.

Tom Phillips abducted his kids almost four years ago. In that time, their teeth have decayed. Their asthma has flared up. Their education has halted, as has their social development. They've faced puberty without reliable access to period products. They've been too cold to sleep. They haven't seen their mother, and in the nights too cold to sleep they've wondered what she - or they - did wrong, that they're not allowed to be with her.

I've seen so many messed up interpretations of this. It's jolly! Children love adventures! It's just like going on camp - the best life learning! Also, maybe the mum was a hoe! I mean, the court had found against Phillips, but you know what? Sometimes the law needs to take second place to people who've listened to Newstalk ZB and who've got the real common sense.

The ways we will justify male violence, with a particular mix of misogyny and bush lore, continue to take my breath away. The defenders aren't interested in what a child might want in this situation. They're interested in an interpretation of what those children might want - offered by a man who flouted the law, has guns, and robbed a bank.

But I need to assure you: he's white, so it's OK. Sure, we say 'one law for all', but it pays to read the fine print.

On the news tonight, the police reported they're going to try a new tactic: appealing to Phillips' concern for his children's welfare.

It's a funny old world, isn't it? When you're a mother, a woman, a failure to consider your kids' welfare first is the worst crime you can commit.

But Phillips is a dad, a man. His concern for his kids' welfare is the bargaining chip to be played when literally everything else has failed.

If you are a dad, a man, I implore you. You're better than this miserable stereotype - and you know it because you live it, every day that you love your kids and respect their mother. You're the standard bearers in the battle against this shit.

And that matters. Stand strong, get loud.

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