Child support debt mountain reaches record heights

Total child support debt has topped $1.2 billion, an all-time high, says National's Welfare spokeswoman, Judith Collins.

"At $471 million, core debt is now the highest it's ever been, and up from $192 million in 2000. Under Labour, total child support debt, including interest and penalties, has reached a whopping $1.2 billion.

"This is an appalling level of debt and shows that Labour has no interest in collecting child support.

"There are 124,541 liable parents with a child support debt. Nearly 13,000 live overseas yet this group owes one third of the total debt."

Ms Collins says the Labour Government is very keen to clamp down on fine-dodgers who are leaving the country as evidenced by Courts Minister Rick Barker's statement that 'I've said all along that if you have enough money to travel overseas, you have enough money to pay your fines'.

"It's a pity Labour doesn't apply the same principle to child support debtors who are allowed to come and go as they please.

"It's clear that this Government is quite comfortable with parents shirking their responsibilities and obligations to their children and letting the taxpayer pick up the tab."


Click to download (Word format table) child support debt by region