Child Support Fact Sheet Number One

Family Law Review Editorial Slams Current Child Support Regime.

Brief extracts from Shaky Support editorial by John Caldwell, Senior Lecturer in Law, Canterbury University writing in the New Zealand Family Law Review 2005-3

“It would certainly now be timely for a newly elected New Zealand Government to consider some wholesale changes to our own much criticised child support scheme..”

“In this legislation problems are quite simply endemic.”

“……an Australian Institute of Family Studies survey in 2005 showed strong support for both parents income to be taken into account. The Taskforce proposed a new “income shares” approach. New Zealand is now lagging far, far behind.”

“…..in an administrative review the rules of natural justice are virtually at vanishing point. For instance, telephone hearings can be conducted, there is no power to compel a party to appear in the presence of another, no legal representation, and no published decisions. Given the impact a Commissioner’s review decision has on the financial rights of the respective parties this blatant legislative exclusion of basic procedural protections is quite extraordinary.”

“However the Australian reassessment suggests a more thoroughgoing root and branch re-evaluation is now needed in this country as well.”

Mark Shipman, National President, Parents for Children comments:

“Peter Dunne really has been given a hospital pass from the Labour Government with the revival of the proposed changes to the Child Support Act 1991. Mums, dads, lawyers, economists, social commentators, child advocates… are all saying a real review of the current approach to Child Support is required, but politicians continue to ignore pleas for a fair and reasonable Child Support System that works for our kids,”

Don’t forget that the Social Services Select Committee is deliberating on the current amendments to the Child Support Act 1991. Please take the time to phone, email or write to the Committee MP’s. Let them know what your experiences of the IRD and Child Support have been. These MP’s need to hear your voice they are due to report back 5 June 2006. Join the growing chorus who are calling for a real review of the Child Support System and its administration in New Zealand

The sleeping giant is awakening.