Aussie Parents Who Owe Child Support Banned From Travelling

Parents who don’t pay child support have been stopped from going overseas as part of a $15 million crackdown.

A record number of 1067 people were slapped with international travel bans in the first half of this financial year, an increase of almost 50 per cent on the same six-month period last year.

More than $15 million of unpaid child support was recouped between July and December, with the money going to the parent who has custody.

Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said parents who don’t pay child support were depriving their children of a better life.

“The government’s message to parents is simple, if you can afford an overseas holiday, then you can afford to support your children,” he said on Friday.

“That should be your first priority, not jetting off for a break in a foreign country.”

A record number of Australians are being hit with international travel bans for shirking their child support payment obligations. For more information: https://t.co/PznsZTt3ue pic.twitter.com/yPIKLQdH7t

— Michael Keenan MP (@MichaelKeenanMP) March 22, 2019

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37 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 11 Mar 2023
    9:45 am
I hope that this is still in place.

- - BellaB said
  - 03 Apr 2019
    4:09 pm
I think this is a good idea.

- - LuckyMum said
  - 02 Apr 2019
    10:23 pm
On the surface it sounds like a good idea. But each case needs to be looked at individually because it’s not always cut and dried.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 01 Apr 2019
    11:51 pm
This is an interesting way to deal with not paying child support. I hope that they look at every case individually as these types of issues are not usually always black and white.

- - jacqbeckett said
  - 01 Apr 2019
    5:30 pm
Totally agree on this but for those who travel overseas perhaps have a written letter from the boss to say it’s work related and holiday related.

- - ozstarlett said
  - 31 Mar 2019
    6:00 pm
good – if you can afford to go overseas, you can afford child support. my father declared bankruptcy just before they changed the laws and he got out of years worth of debt!

- - mom19782016 said
  - 30 Mar 2019
    12:53 am
Good to see this is being cracked down on.

- - mom101628 said
  - 28 Mar 2019
    10:59 pm
Wonderful idea – and for those who need to travel for work – pay your child support and you have no problems.

- - MisChip said
  - 28 Mar 2019
    8:17 pm
Hmmm it’s great in theory… but what about those who need to travel for work? Or what about those who don’t travel at all and therefore wont be affected by this.

- - tessie said
  - 28 Mar 2019
    7:08 pm
This is a great idea. Hope it works.

- - rachel1970 said
  - 28 Mar 2019
    5:55 pm
What a great idea. If they can ‘t afford to pay child support they shouldn’t be going overseas. Their kids should be their first priority.

- - ella12 said
  - 28 Mar 2019
    9:47 am
That is wonderful news, I fully support it. Prioritise your children.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 28 Mar 2019
    9:22 am
this is fair enough they’re a flight risk and if they can’t afford child support they shouldn’t be able to afford plane tickets.

- - rovermum said
  - 28 Mar 2019
    9:21 am
This is a great way to make parents accountable and not skip their parental responsibility for their children.

- - SPerry37 said
  - 27 Mar 2019
    9:49 pm
Absolutely parents forget their children come first but then unfortunately you do have the parents who milk and lie to get more money which is unfortunate and get away with it

- - musicmum said
  - 27 Mar 2019
    9:26 pm
I wonder how much it is costing taxpayers to chase this money? I never received child support but at least I got to bring up my son the way I wanted without any drama’s. We survived quite well, I think you are lucky if you are getting child support, I could have done with the extra money.

- - rnash02 said
  - 27 Mar 2019
    3:38 am
This is fantastic

- - mom160421 said
  - 26 Mar 2019
    10:57 pm
If you can afford to travel, you can afford child support.
- mom93821 replied
  
  27 Mar 2019 , 6:44 am
  Absolutely! Priorities need to right and children always comes first.
- - mom265671 said
  - 26 Mar 2019
    10:32 pm
Well done. Totally agree that kids before holiday

- - mom93821 said
  - 26 Mar 2019
    9:54 pm
Bringing a child into the world is a massive responsibility and of course providing financially for a child comes before an overseas holiday.