Media Release
Give your children time this Christmas
21 December 2007
Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, is encouraging all parents, together and separated, to spend time with their children this holiday season.
Senator Ludwig said while separation and divorce are a factor of modern life, the experience for many families is changing with more co-operation between separated families.
“The latest figures from the Child Support Agency (CSA) show that more parents are now working together after separation to financially and emotionally support their children,” Senator Ludwig said.
“Research shows that children will do better at school, have better social skills and are less likely to get into trouble where both of their parents play a positive role in their lives.”
“CSA has produced a range of free booklets about parenting after separation and can also connect separated parents to the right support they need.”
“You may not be partners anymore but your children still need you,” Senator Ludwig said.
Further information about Joint Positive Parenting can be found on the CSA website at www.csa.gov.au.
Background information
According to latest figures from the CSA, 24 per cent of new cases registered with them in the first six months of 2007 had a male receiving child support.
This means that most of those fathers have care of their kids for 50% or more of the time.
Currently, 11.2 per cent of CSA’s total cases have a father as the primary carer.
52.6 per cent of separated parents transfer their child support with little or no involvement from CSA which is a good sign that separated parents recognise the need to continue working together to make joint decisions about their children.
Note: A video news release on Joint Positive Parenting is also being issued by the CSA to television outlets. It features interviews with a separated family and a CSA State Manager plus supporting overlay vision.
Media Contact: John Noble 0409 926 397.