PM flags child support changes
Posted by Not Credited on February 5th, 2010 | Category: Child Support Family Law Reform Kevin Rudd
PRIME minister Kevin Rudd has flagged year-end changes to Australia's child-support system, saying the present arrangements are causing many families angst.
- AAP
- February 05, 2010
"A whole lot of families are going through a whole lot of angst on this," Mr Rudd told Channel 7's Sunrise in answer to a question from Emily Turner, of Sydney.
The Government was working on a "whole series" of long-term reform proposals.
It was important to ensure the reforms were "absolutely right" because any changes would affect many families, Mr Rudd said.
"Our anticipation is the changes to the system will be made by year's end."
Comments (2)
As a separated Dad for 8 years now and being someone who has done the "right" thing as far as his ex by paying Child Support for the entire time I am fairly annoyed at the way Child Support is now calculated. I am now paying 72% of the CSA calculated yearly amount that is apparently required to keep my son in clothes and hot dinners. This translates in real terms to $10,000 per annum. This on top of what his Mother provides would be roughly $13k all up. I fail to see how it is possible seeing as they live in a housing commission house and he attends a state school and doesn't pay school fees. On the odd occasion that I do get to see him (about once every two months these days) he comes minus these very things that I pay for like deoderant (he's 15, he needs it, badly) and a toothbrush. Both of these items I have provided on countless occasions and yet they disappear into some mysterious black hole. While I don't expect CSA to police this I do expect there to be a fairer system of payment. Upon speaking to CSA about such topics I was told that I could keep receipts and have this deducted for the amount I pay but this would require "Auditing" by CSA. Is that what you would call "reverse psychology salesmanship".
I called CSA today with a question. I asked why when my son turns 17 he will be able to receive Youth Allowance and that the amount will be $112 per week and that this amount is considered by the Government to "reasonably cover living expenses". If thats the case, why is the estimate CSA comes up with closer to $300 per week?.
Is there an outlet that is accessable to the Father to get these issues heard, Ombudsman?
I don't make excuses for the money I earn because I know how hard I work to earn it. I can afford to pay the amount that is asked of me but my issue is that I don't honestly believe that the money is being spent on anything useful let alone the things my son needs. When I pick my son up from his house and I see chips, party pies and sausage rolls for dinner for the next week I wonder why the hell I bother.
So where did this proposed change come from. We just went through 4 years of reviews and implementation with the Parkinson changes, and now Rudd says he wants to change again.
I have heard quite broadly that the new child support changes were very positive, so his comment today is very suprising.
Could this be a matter of dog whistle politics? When you look at what he is saying, you would be hard-pressed to identify what he sees as problems and how he may to address them.
It looks like pure politics, possibly a signal to single mothers to vote for him and he will repay them after the next election.
And look at the timeframe of the proposed changes..."by year's end.".
Just after the election. How convenient Mr Rudd!
Obviously just another politician willing to make policy on the run for a few extra votes.