Media Release
Parents with child support debts should pay before booking their Christmas holiday
01 November 2006
Minister for Human Services, The Hon. Joe Hockey MP, today reminded parents with child support debts that they risk being stopped at the airport on their way overseas if they don't pay.
"Thanks to Departure Prohibition Orders, 482 parents with child support debts cleared more than $6.7 million during 2005-2006 before being allowed to leave the country," Minister Hockey said.
A Departure Prohibition Order gives the Australian Federal Police authority to stop parents at the airport from leaving the country because they have outstanding child support debt owing to their child(ren).
"The Government is committed to ensuring that children don't miss out and we plan to more than double the number of DPOs to about 1,200 per year," Minister Hockey said.
"The Government makes no apologies for putting the interests of children before a parent's inconvenience. I am warning serious avoiders - pay up before you reach the departure lounge."
Minister Hockey said the DPO program was part of the Australian Government's previously-announced $162 million (over four years) intensive compliance reforms to the Child Support Scheme.
"DPOs are a measure of last resort but parents need to be aware of their debts before booking holidays," Minister Hockey said.
"Parents can only leave Australia once their child support debts are paid or a suitable payment arrangement or security is put in place."
"Since its inception, 1151 parents with a child support debt have cleared around $12.2 million before heading overseas thanks to the Child Support Agency issuing DPOs."
"This is a very successful mechanism for collecting outstanding child support of which many other countries are envious," the Minister said.
"Some serious avoiders of child support believe they can escape their payment obligations by leaving the country."
"Parents with the money for overseas travel should provide for their children before they leave," Minister Hockey said.
"I urge citizens who know a person with child support debt is leaving the country to advise the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line by ringing 13 15 24 so a DPO can be issued."
Specialist teams have been set up in Perth and Hobart this financial year. The CSA is now working closely with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to better target parents with large debts who travel frequently.