EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1989 NO. 258
ISSUED BY AUTHORITY OF THE TREASURER
CHILD SUPPORT REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
The purpose of these regulations is to prescribe matters that are required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for giving effect to the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988, provided they are not inconsistent with the Act.
The Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 was the first part of a legislative package which aimed to reform child support so as to reduce the number of children in poverty and to make sure that parents with a capacity to pay do not abandon the financial responsibility of supporting their children to the social security system.
The second part of the legislative package is contained in the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 which will enable parents of children to have child support amounts administratively assessed rather than having to obtain a court order.
Regulation 5(1) provides for the conversion of amounts payable under registrable maintenance liabilities that arise under court orders or agreements. With registrable maintenance liabilities being extended to include assessments that arise under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, a similar provision is necessary for assessments.
Notes on the regulation to be amended is set out below:
COMMENCEMENT
Regulation 1 provides that these Regulations commence on 1 October 1989.
CONVERSION OF AMOUNTS PAYABLE UNDER REGISTRABLE MAINTENANCE LIABILITIES
Regulation 2 provides for the extension of the conversion facility contained in subregulation 5(1) to all registrable maintenance liabilities which arise under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 or the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988.