Australia–Looks like child support enforcement in Australia will soon be gearing up to go after lesbian noncustodial mothers. Soon some Aussie lesbian NCPs will have the joy of paying money to finance mothers who prevent them from seeing their kids, move their kids far away, or poison their minds against them.
Good luck, ladies–I’m sure you’ll enjoy this as much as guys have…
From ‘Give lesbian mothers child support’ (Australian Associated Press, 7/22/08):
The Federal Government should amend laws to ensure the children of lesbian couples get proper financial support when their parents’ relationship breaks down, the New South Wales Government says.
The State Government is lobbying Canberra to amend the Family Law Act so lesbian mothers can access child support payments.
NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos said the change would complement the Federal Government’s efforts to change commonwealth laws that discriminate against same sex couples.
It would also complement NSW law changes, which gave equal rights to children of lesbian couples conceived by artificial insemination, he said today.
“Now that NSW has taken steps to establish the parenting presumptions of mothers in same sex de facto relationships, it makes sense to have a system whereby children are protected if the couple splits,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“Under current provisions of … the Family Law Act, co-mothers are not recognised as a legal parent in child related proceedings in the Family Court.
“It is important that we work together to ensure legal recognition is provided to all families, that the interests of all children have economic security regardless of family make-up.”