Press release: New Zealand Child Support Reform Network.

10 November 2004

For Immediate Release

Lack of free Family Court Ordered DNA Paternity testing abuses Dads and Kids.

“The Labour Government is abusing fathers and children by failing to legislate for free DNA testing to establish paternity”, is how Jim Nicolle, spokesperson for the New Zealand Child Support Reform Network, responds to United Futures call for Family Court Ordered DNA paternity tests.

“Paternity fraud is a world wide issue. It’s a deliberate act of dishonesty, with the clear purpose of depriving a child of her right to know her genetic and cultural heritage, usually with the hope of financial gain.” Commented Nicolle, reflecting on a growing number of referrals of parents forced by Inland Revenue to pay child support while believing they are not the father.

“DNA testing removes the problem and should be freely available to all parents. The findings should be binding on the Child Support Agency and any cases of paternity fraud be appropriately dealt with.

“The potential for financial gain from these frauds is huge! If a father is earning say $45,000, who lives by himself and has his daughter on the weekends, he would be paying about $5700 child support for one child. Over 18 years he could pay over $100,000 in child support. That’s a lot of money.” Responded Nicolle when asked what the financial effect on a father a paternity fraud could have.

“This failure by the Government to provide free Family Court Ordered DNA paternity testing is just another example of the basis against fathers that is evident in New Zealand Family Law.” Concluded Nicolle

Ends

NZCSReform is a network of groups and individuals, that grew out of MEN’S Convoy 2004, working in their area of interest, to bring about a fair and reasonable child support system replacing the current unfair and unreasonable Child Support Regime.