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Working mum and kids sleeping in car

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 10 June, 2010 - 7:59 AM

ABOVE: Hinch says the 'sad story' of Michelle, which has dominated Melbourne media coverage today, is not all what it seems.

INTERVIEW: The father of two children, who were reportedly forced to live in a car with their mother, says the full story has not been told.

The children's father, Cameron, who has joint custody, says the first he heard of his kids' photos and 'story' appearing in the Herald Sun was when a friend phoned him this morning to ask whether he had seen that his kids were in the newspaper.

Cameron, who is due to take the care of the children tomorrow, is now worried his kids could be the target of bullies at school.

When asked by Hinch if he was happy to have the kids stay with him beyond the 50/50 arrangement, he said 'absolutely, no question'.

He also says it is possible that the 'Herald Sun may have been misled' and 'the general public may have been duped'.

Listen to his full interview above.

HINCH'S EDITORIAL: It’s the story of the day. Started by a heart-tugging story and photos in the Herald Sun. ‘Forced to live in a car, working Mum pleads – we need a home’. And there’s a picture of a forlorn Michelle and her two kids rugged up in the back of the car.

And the story says: ‘A desperate working mother has told how she is enduring her worst nightmare living with her two children in the back seat of her car.’

According to Michelle they can’t eat properly, have to subsist on takeaway food, use public toilets and bathe in swimming pool change rooms. A very sad story of a cruel life in a heartless city.

And the newspaper urged readers to ‘watch the video of Michelle’s heartbreaking account of living with her children in a car’ and ‘if you can help Michelle and her children find a home’ email the Herald Sun.

Radio programs got involved. Including some on 3AW and in this city with a heart.

Offers of help poured in. Even the Premier pledged he would do what he could.

But. I read that account and two things crossed my mind. These friends who Michelle said she visited in the mornings to make herself and the kids presentable for work and school. Did they really turf her out? And what about the children’s father? Where does he fit in in all this?

Well, to put it nicely, Michelle didn’t actually tell the full story. And Melbourne you’ve been had. Taken for a ride.

Michelle didn’t let on that her ex-husband has shared custody. One week on. One week off. He’s actually due to pick up the kids tomorrow.

And, he says, the first he heard of the ‘we’re destitute, nobody loves us, we’re living in a nightmare’ was when he read the paper this morning.

Blog comments

It's hard to say who is to blame when we don't know the whole story. For her to come out and risk exposing her children to the public must mean she is in a pretty desperate situation and is running out of options. If she hasn't approached the father there must be a reason why. Or maybe she could have approached things differently but at the end of the day at least she's doing something to make sure her family is never destitute or broke again.

pia a work at home mum Thursday 29 July, 2010 - 2:55 PM
I think people should show some compassion for this woman. She should not be split up from her children and she should be found somewhere to live near where she works. It's not her fault things are so expensive in Australia now and landlords favour non-single parents. Don't split up mothers and their children because of money issues. The dad obviously has money, that doesn't mean she should be parted from her children and handed over to him. Have a heart people and lets hope for an outcome that is good for all.

Sonya Monday 21 June, 2010 - 6:51 AM
Well the rental crisis is to be blamed. It is very hard to find the right property at the right price. The landlords are demanding huge rents or rather shall I call it mortgage. Bring in more migrants PM as if we have many cities to fill. We are adding two Geelong cities every year since last 6 years.

Anand Saturday 12 June, 2010 - 10:41 PM
Hi there!! i was apalled that this even made news!!! My fiancee, 5 year old son and myself are in a far worse situation after having knifes pulled and my fiancee and son threatened with death by a housmate whilst i was at work!! We have slept in our car ( full of our belongings because we couldnt afford a storage facility like this family and are quite willing to stay in any accomodation unlike this family who has turned down already numerous offers of assistance through rooming houses and so forth!! Because she thought that she was to good for that or something!! It is because of people like her that real people in need such as my family are getting no assistance watsoever. Please if anyone can offer help please email me!! i'm an extremely hard worker will have a job within a week we just need the chance like this family got to make something of our lives!!

Josh Morrison Saturday 12 June, 2010 - 1:43 AM
I don't know why everyone is being so judgemental about this woman. Initial sympathy for her has turned to severe criticism of her parenting. Okay I'm sure she's not perfect but at the end of the day for whatever reason she ended up in a terrible situation. Everyone always assumes that single mothers are just out to take all the cash they can from their exes, the Government, wherever. It has become a witch hunt. What about all the Dads who ditch their kids and don't bother to pay child support? This woman must have been desperate to put herself in the media like this. You don't know the reasons why she couldn't ask for help, perhaps she was scared to lose custody, perhaps she thought it would only be a couple of nights and then it stretched to more and more. Give her a break.

Mads Saturday 12 June, 2010 - 1:41 AM
Thanks Sam and Margaret-11th. June.
I think you must know Michelle as you have got it it one. It's been like winning a lottery this week. Hope there are some controls in place to make sure the windfall is spent wisely.

One Step Ahead Friday 11 June, 2010 - 9:10 PM