Your Thoughts?

**Ana Gram** · 28-02-2006 15:05

What are your thoughts on this latest government plan?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...095723806.html

**Nickster** · 28-02-2006 15:22

I don't know, Chelle, I'd have to look into it a bit more - what exactly do they mean by "considering both custodial and non-custodial parent's incomes"? Don't they do that already? How much will it change, realistically?

It seems no matter what "changes" occur, both sides lose out in the end, as do the children....:

(Upping the minimum payment from $5 to $6 surely has to be some sort of joke, though??!!!)

**pumpkin** · 28-02-2006 15:22

i think it has been a long time coming, i also agree with the both parents having to have their income or payments bought into it as it is not fairon the paying parent. i also believe they should do it as a net calculation not a gross calculation as there are 2 different rates and what you lose in tax you have to find for csa so therefore it should be based on the net income of the payer.
I also agree with the parents being given a discount (as such) as the paying parents who do have their child/children every now and then need some relief as it costs them money when they stay with them. especially if they have second families.

And I DEFINATELY agree with the overtime or second job situations as they should not be taken into account as they are obviously trying to provide for the second family.

i also think that they should have an equal rate for the children being supported by the paying parent and the second family children as one child cannot be worth more than another just because they dont live together.

**pumpkin** · 28-02-2006 15:26

no at the moment only the paying parents income is taken into account and teh non paying parent can earn up 39500 before it starts to reduce which is wrong.
and the children do miss out as they dont have the money spent on them as the parent who they live with does not spend it all on the child. we are paying 175 at the moment for a child my dh doesnt get to see she is not allowed to visit as she is not allowed on a plane by herself she is nearly 11 (her mother wont let her) but we are expected to drive 6 hours away to collect her then take her back as they live near sydney and will come half way. plus pay cs (i dont think so) so it is going to court very shortly if she wants to see any cs

**sopolicha** · 28-02-2006 15:38

Originally Posted by Nickster

(Upping the minimum payment from $5 to $6 surely has to be some sort of joke, though??!!!)

I will really look forward to that extra $4 a month.

It is always going to be an incredibly contentious issue because in nearly every case each party involved thinks they are being are wronged.

**the_queen** · 28-02-2006 15:43

I think each case needs to be looked at individually, and the legislation needs to be flexible to allow leeway (sp?) for each party.
Not every paying parent has a second family. I'm sure there are plenty of nice ex-husbands out there who pay money to b*tch ex-wives who spend the money on pokies and smokes. But there's also plenty of b*stardly ex-husbands who can't be bothered even calling their child once a week, can't be bothered having the child overnight at all, can't be bothered to do ANYTHING except b*tch about the amount of child support they are being forced to pay.
Mine used to call me up, telling me how he was going to kill himself - not because I'd left him and taken his daughter away, but because I was taking all his money.

**dannii** · 28-02-2006 15:57

oh yes it needs a change!
and I also think each case needs to be looked at individually.

child support needs to be asseses after tax and not b4.. we dont get this money so why should we have to pay it to the other parent! arghhh!

im a blended family and this affects us dramitically.
we pay maintenance and i get maintenance. although we pay lots more for one child than my ex does for his 2!

His ex requests pay rises and assessments and even though we argue saying we cant afford it.. she always wins and we have to pay more!
we can tell them we wont be able to have our roof over our own head soon if they keep hiking it. and we told that its our problem! thats our "lifestyle choice"

so sell you house or do whatever because its not their problem. we pay a ridiculous amount of child support! and i garrentee no child need this amount of money a week.!!! arghh this topic always gets me rolled up!@!

**pumpkin** · 28-02-2006 16:12

Originally Posted by dannii

oh yes it needs a change!
and I also think each case needs to be looked at individually.

child support needs to be asseses after tax and not b4.. we dont get this money so why should we have to pay it to the other parent! arghhh!

im a blended family and this affects us dramitically.
we pay maintenance and i get maintenance. although we pay lots more for one child than my ex does for his 2!

His ex requests pay rises and assessments and even though we argue saying we cant afford it.. she always wins and we have to pay more!
we can tell them we wont be able to have our roof over our own head soon if they keep hiking it. and we told that its our problem! thats our "lifestyle choice"

so sell you house or do whatever because its not their problem. we pay a ridiculous amount of child support! and i garrentee no child need this amount of money a week.!!! arghh this topic always gets me rolled up!@!

exactly what you said......
i agree that amount previously is per week so as far as im concerned our 4 children are worth the same so therefore there is not enough money left to pay her every week. with living expenses etc
they even tell you to take out a loan if you afford it ha if you cant afford it tehn how in hell are people supposed to pay a loan.
they need someone who is in the situation to be organising it.

**bronny-jane** · 28-02-2006 19:21

i was offended over the fact they think money matters will help reconcile couples, lol
isnt that the number one reas on we fight. also my brother pays his ex $200 aweek for his son, not because he has to but he wants him to be well looked after. his ex only lets him see him at her place or not at all. i keep telling him to take it through child support but he dont want to, she taking him for a ride. other than this i like her but come on. oh yeah he works 12 hour shifts then drives 45mins to her house watches his son while she goes to score. nice huh

**pumpkin** · 28-02-2006 19:27

how is she receiving ftb or the pension as centrelink want proof of exactly how much is being paid e.g child support agency etc. just curious as i thought they had toughened the system