Child support - International (Japan)

Question

Senator ROBERTS: How many Australian based parents are being forced to pay child support to a parent holding a child in Japan? Mr Flavel: If you are after numbers of international child support arrangements, we can take that on notice and provide that to you, and, if it's specifically in relation to Japan, we can come back on that. Senator ROBERTS: Thank you. Is the situation as it is really in the best interests of the child? ACTING CHAIR: Again, Senator Roberts, I think you're going to an opinion. Could you frame your question in the sense of a fact that the officials can respond to. Mr Lye: The child support scheme is about making sure that children in separated families are not left in poverty and receive the benefits of the resources of both parents where possible. It's to address high rates of child poverty. I know the issue that you're pursuing is a particular one in relation to that, but the reason why the scheme itself is there is to protect the interests of children. There has been a lot of conflict in the scheme over the years because separated parents, almost by definition, don't agree on things, but very few people would contend that a child shouldn't benefit from the economic resources of their parents, even where they're separated. Senator ROBERTS: I agree with you on that score, Mr Lye, but I'm wondering how we can make sure it's being effective. Mr Lye: We can come back to you on the questions you've asked.

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• DSS SQ26-000708.pdf (opens in a new tab)