Child Support and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Ending Financial Abuse in the Child Support Scheme No. 1) Bill 2026

Ms BELYEA (Dunkley) (13:27): As the member for Dunkley, I see the consequences of the systems we create here in this parliament in the lives of people in my community. I have met parents who are doing everything they can to provide stability for their children after separation. I have spoken with people who are trying to rebuild their lives after family and domestic violence.

I have listened to local organisations that work with families at some of their most difficult moments, like the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Family Life, Frankston City Council and Good Shepherd, not to mention Women's Health in the South East. Those discussions have shaped how I approach this legislation, the Child Support and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Ending Financial Abuse in the Child Support Scheme No. 1) Bill 2026.

The child support scheme is supposed to ensure that children continue to receive financial support after their parents separate. That principle is straightforward. But, for too many families, navigating the system is anything but straightforward.

There is almost $2 billion in unpaid child support in Australia. Just over 100,000 parents and carers in the child support system are recorded as having experienced or being at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence. This government is investing an additional $182 million in this financial year to make that system safer and fairer and to help ensure that children receive the support they are owed.

Child support is part of the economic security of those families. When it is paid in full and on time, it helps children have a more stable childhood and gives their carers greater capacity to meet the everyday costs of raising them.