A Political Widow

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 2

A Political Widow

Being a Cabinet minister’s wife has its disadvantages. “We’re political widows,” Mrs Margaret Sinclair, wife of the Australian minister for Social Services, said in Christchurch yesterday.

“It’s true we do bear a lot of the burden of bringing up the children. My husband leaves for work early in the morning, and comes home for dinner if possible, then returns to the House and often works until after 12,” she said.

Keeping in touch with his electorate in north-west Sydney also entailed much travelling to and from Canberra where the family lives when Parliament is in session. A slim brunette, elegantly casual in a brown tweed suit, Mrs Sinclair had an alert, interested air. Adjustment to a life of politics has not wor-

ried her—this is her husband’s first term —and she is philosophical about his long absences. When the couple married 10 years ago Mr Sinclair was a practising barrister. >His

ambition to own a ranch—“his father had insisted he do law” —was fulfilled several years later. Part of the year is still spent on their 3000-acre property 200 miles from Sydney. “I do most of our entertaining there because we have

only a small home In Canberra,” Mrs Sinclair said. Their three children, Fiona aged eight, Knox six, and four-year-old Jane move with them, Fiona and Knox attending school in Canberra. “I like living in Canberra. It’s not provincial for we meet interesting people from all over the world,” she said. No matter what their nationality, visitors were very interested in Aborigines. To answer their questions Mrs Sinclair has had to do some intensive study of her country. She and her husband attend many diplomatic dinners, where her policy is to listen to others as much as possible. “I’m very Interested In politics and I try to keep up with things, for people in Canberra discuss so many topics,” Mrs Sinclair said. Guiding was one of her chief interests but now her busy life allows her little free time. However, Fiona, now a Brownie, is maintaining the tradition.

Before her marriage Mrs Sinclair worked as a journalist on the “Sydney Sun,” taking a course in typesetting. For two years she was press liaison officer for a large department store in Sydney.

When her children are grown and life is more leisurely for Mrs Sinclair, she hopes to return to writing.