Terry Hicks for Australian Father of the Year

Terry Hicks has been nominated for Australian Father of the Year. Nominated by the ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, no less.

I can't think of anyone who puts more time and effort to helping his children. Trying to get just a fair trial for David has consumed this man's life since 2002; no part-time father he! I'm sure all the previous winners were good fathers to their children, but looking at a list of people like Steve Waugh, Slim Dusty, Kamahl, Ken Done etc. I doubt that they were nominated for that reason.

Of course Philip Ruddock has condemned this as politicising. But how can anyone say that after John Howard won in 1997 (not to mention Malcolm Fraser in '76, John Kerr in '74, Billy McMahon in '71 and Bob Menzies in '64)!? And Miranda Devine thinks that his son's alleged actions (there's been no trial) automatically make Terry a bad father, no matter how much love he shows. The rabid right wing tend to forget that he's not trying to defend a guilty son, just trying to get him a fair trial and humane treatment until the verdict comes in. It's a sad thing when demanding Geneva Convention rights becomes a political issue!

Unfortunately the result is not voted on publicly, it's by a panel. Let's hope they don't have too many celebrities nominated this year.