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This article first appeared in the ‘Two Views' section of the winter 2005 edition of Impact, the national quarterly magazine of the Australian Council of Social Service.
As a member of the reference group for the Ministerial Task Force on Child Support, I was privileged to be a part of the process that, on examination of the evidence, has proposed major changes.
In my role as a director of a child care centre, I had witnessed first hand the many complexities for parents when they separate and divorce. What really bothered me was that, while these complexities were being negotiated between parents and our systems, young children who were already exposed to possible emotional harm and confusion because of the recent changes to their family lives were being further disadvantaged through this process. The needs of children, the innocent victims of parental conflict, were never at the forefront.
I applaud the principle that parents must contribute something to the cost of raising their own children and stronger compliance requirements for those parents who just refuse to contribute to this support.
I am heartened to see some of the areas that cause most parental conflict (especially around money) eased and fairer. Research tells us of the detrimental effects on children's emotional wellbeing when they are constantly exposed to conflict.
In particular, the changes around contact and who pays should allow contact with both parents to occur more regularly without financial penalty. In most circumstances children thrive with regular contact with both parents. We do need to consider the particular needs of infants with wisdom and caution, especially in relation to attachment, before we consider shared parenting arrangements for them.
Children who are born into second and subsequent families will now be better off. It was an intolerable situation when, under the previous system, children born into these families were penalised. Children must not be the victims of these birth circumstances but treated equally.
Anyone with teenagers knows they cost more. The recommendations take this into account.
The initiative to use the newly-established Family Relationship Centres across the country as support systems, where parents can be supported to plan together for their children's future wellbeing, is encouraging. We are all too aware of the tragedies that have arisen where the only possible way to find a solution has been through our court systems. The task force must be applauded for these complex and wide-reaching recommendations.
Children's interests have been at the core of these recommendations. We will watch with interest as the Government considers these major reforms. Their objective must be to ensure all children, no matter what their parental circumstance, are given the best support and opportunity.
We all have a responsibility to ensure the quality of the here and now for our youngest citizens. This and this alone will ensure their contribution to the future.
Judy Radich
National President
Early Childhood Australia
This article first appeared in the ‘Two Views' section of the winter 2005 edition of Impact, the national quarterly magazine of the Australian Council of Social Service.
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