Media Statement For immediate release Thursday, 4 December, 2003

Alexander: Why reward deadbeat parents?

United Future's Marc Alexander today asked Associate Revenue Minister David Cunliffe if the Government would wipe the personal debt of parents who support their children, given that it is going to wipe some of the child support owed by non-custodial parents who "fertilise, flee and forget".

"Not only does it fly in the face of parental responsibility for children they have brought into this world, but giving up on debt is hardly responsible financial management," Mr Alexander said, after questioning Mr Cunliffe during Parliament's question time.

"And how does it square with Social Development Minister Steve Maharey's correct assertion recently that 'every father has a responsibility to be emotionally, practically and financially engaged with his parenting responsibilities'?"

"And the same would apply to mothers in that situation," he said.

Ends.

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