New Service to Assist Separating and Separated Families

NEW SERVICE TO ASSIST SEPARATING AND SEPARATED FAMILIES
A telephone service to provide separating and separated parents with access to dispute resolution has moved a step closer with the selection of the preferred provider, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Minister for Human Services, Senator Chris Ellison announced.
Relationships Australia Queensland, in consortium with Relationships Australia NSW, has been selected as the preferred provider for the service which will begin in July.
The service, which can be accessed through the Family Relationship Advice Line, will provide additional support to separating and separated parents, particularly those in dispute over payment of child support.
This telephoned-based dispute resolution service is the latest addition to the Government’s extensive reform of the Child Support Scheme.
The service will complement the face-to-face services already funded by the Australian Government to support parents who are unable to reach agreement on parenting issues after separation.
Child Support Agency customers in dispute over parenting issues that affect their child support payments will be a priority.
This new service will make family dispute resolution services more accessible for people living in rural or remote locations and will help parents to focus on their children’s needs in negotiating workable parenting arrangements.
The aim is to support parents to resolve parenting matters themselves without the need for a third party.

Source: Ministerial Media release