NSW calls for lesbian child support

NSW calls for lesbian child support

New South Wales Attorney-General John Hatzistergos has called for the Family Law Act to be amended by the Commonwealth to allow for child support to be payable by lesbian co-parents to their former partners.

Commonwealth Attorney-General Robert McClelland is considering the move.

Currently both lesbian and gay co-parents are not recognised under the Family Law Act or the Child Support (Assessment) Act. The only way for a gay or lesbian co-parent to obtain child support is to sue in the State courts, relying on equitable estoppel: “We said that we were going to have a child, and you have to pay”. This follows a New South Wales case, W v G (1996) where a lesbian couple split up, after having two planned children, the court ordering the co-parent to pay about $150,000 towards their upkeep.

Stephen Page, Harrington Family Lawyers, Brisbane spage@harringtonfamilylawyers.com 61(7) 3221 9544

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

The Cost of Adoption in Australia

In this video, Accredited Family Law Specialist and Multi-Award Winning Lawyer, Stephen Page reveals the cost of adoption in Australia.

The Basics of Adoption in Australia

In this video, Award-Winning and Accredited Family Law Specialist, Stephen Page explores the basics of adoption in Australia.

Queensland ART Submission

Dear Reader I welcome the opportunity, albeit very tightly proscribed, in which to make a submission as to the proposed regulation of ART services in Queensland. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS IN THE CONSULTATION PAPER If ART legislation is introduced in Queensland, what should the Act’s guiding principles be? Response: The paramount concern should be that of… Read More »Queensland ART Submission

Family Law Section Law Council of Australia Award
Member of Queensland law society
Family law Practitioners Association
International Academy of Family Lawyers - IAFL
Mediator Standards Board