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Julia Gillard's 'stepdaughter' poses for men's magazine
The daughter of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's long-term partner has appeared in a men's magazine draped in the Australian flag.
Published: 12:58AM BST 14 Sep 2010
Staci Child, Julia Gillard's 'stepdaughter', posed for Zoo Weekly magazine Photo: Zoo Weekly
Staci Child, 31, who is the daughter of Ms Gillard's partner Tim Mathieson, posed for the magazine in a patriotic Australia bikini. The tattooed stylist, who is based in New York, said that her father loved the photos for Zoo Weekly. "I think Julia will think it is a very Australian thing to do," she said. Some were less sure. David McLachlan, president of the veteran's organisation Returned and Service League, said the Australian flag should be respected.
"Recognising generational change in opinions, there would be many in the community, including me, that see the use of the flag in this way as most inappropriate," he said. Miss Child was raised by her mother in Shepparton, Victoria, but remains close to her father, who she says she speaks to every day.
Mr Mathieson has two other adult children with his former wife Diane Stark and has described his relationship with Staci and her mother as 'amicable'. Miss Child said she had never heard of Ms Gillard when her father began dating her in 2006. "I don't follow politics much but I knew he had a girlfriend, so I was happy," she said. "I don't know if she'd pose for Zoo, but if she did, she'd look very beautiful.
