Child Support Overhaul Progresses

The Child Support Amendment Bill completed its second reading with Labour deciding to oppose the bill as it did not address enough of the problems with the system.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne said the the Child Support Amendment Bill was the most fundamental change to the Child Support regime since it was set up in 1992.

It modernised and recognised that society had changed.

The support calculation was also being changed to reflect those changes, as well as individuals circumstances.

The committee had also amended the bill’s starting date to April 2014 instead of April 2013 to allow IRD time to implement the bill.

David Cunliffe said Labour now opposed the bill after the select committee process as it concerns had not been addressed.

There had been an opportunity to change the system, instead it had tinkered with the system while too many children lived in poverty.

The bill completed its second reading by 68 to 52 with National, NZ First, ACT and United Future in favour.

MPs began the third reading of the Corrections Amendment Bill

**
ParliamentToday.co.nz is a breaking news source for New Zealand parliamentary business featuring broadcast daily news reports.

© Scoop Media