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.