Last February, Mal Brough MP, Minister for Families, and the Community Services and Indigenous Affairs announced that the Australian government would reform aspects of the
Child Support and family payment systems to protect the best interests of children. What is this reform all about? This reform aims to balance the interest of parents and reflecting expectations. These changes followed a detailed test of how Child Support Scheme might be changed to address the issues in the best way possible.
It is known that since the current Child Support Scheme was established in 1988, the circumstances of
many Australian families have changed drammatically. There have been considerable community concerns about contact and residency issues following marriage and relationship breakdown recently. There is also much more recognition of the significance of parents remaining actively involved in their children's lives after separation.
According to Brough, the new system will be fairer. It will be more transparent for both parents and more focused on the needs and costs of children. This reform will be better integrated with the family law and income support systems. Also, he expects to reduce conflict between parents about parenting arrangements, to encourage shared parental responsibility and ensure child support is paid in full and on time.
