MILD MANNERED SINGLE MOTHERS FIGHT BACK FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE

Single mothers dressed as superheroes took to the streets in Melbourne and Hobart today to protest the government’s lack of action in collecting $1.2 billion in owed child support. Waving placards and slowing traffic outside Child Support Agency offices they demanded that the government fix the system to better reflect the cost of raising children and to close loopholes which allow too many parents to hide and minimise their income.

“At the moment single mothers have to be superheroes to raise children in Australia. The government saw fit to make further cuts to single parent’s income support in this year’s budget yet they still have not addressed the problem of unpaid child support. Many fathers with good incomes and few caring responsibilities are assessed by the CSA as needing to pay little or no child support” said Kerry Davies, media spokesperson from the Council of Single Mothers and their Children Victoria, “and of those that do owe child support more than half do not pay in full or on time.”

The Australian child support debt of $1.2 billion has been climbing dramatically; 3 years ago it was just under $800 million. The frustration of single mothers at being owed this money for their children’s upbringing was clear. “Very little is being done to collect the payments and the Child Support Agency doesn’t seem to have the power or resources necessary to track down cheats and frauds. When more than half of assessed child support is not paid correctly then we have a big problem in Australian society. This should be a BBQ stopper. Does Australia really think it is ok for most separated fathers to get away with treating their children this way?”

Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has called on Parliament to conduct a comprehensive review of the child support system and of family law. This was due to be voted on yesterday.

Two thirds of single mothers work outside the home, and most have the primary caring responsibility for their children. “Australian children are being let down. They are the ones who miss out when their mothers are run ragged trying to make ends meet. Australian women are literally left holding the baby” says Ms Davies “and it seems the government believe we should be solely financially responsible as well as properly caring for our children.”

Research by the Department of Human Services shows that one third of fathers paying child support pay only $7 per week, or $1 a day towards their children’s upbringing. “How does the Australian government expect mothers to cope?” said Ms Davies.
COUNCIL OF SINGLE MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN VIC