Lole-Taylor Asenati: Child Support Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Lole-Taylor Asenati: Child Support Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 27 February 2013. Volume:687;Page:8282. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR (NZ First) 
: 
 New Zealand First supports the move for improvement to the current system at the moment. We accept that it is difficult to find a new formula for child support that will satisfy everyone. The new formula is not without concerns. However it is a step in the right direction and a vast improvement on the existing outdated system—shall I say 22 years outdated. Part 1 and clauses 5 8 and 9 of this bill the Child Support Amendment Bill will actually dictate to us or indicate to us some of the changes that are moving towards the right direction. 
Recent child studies have shown that it is more beneficial for children to have ongoing contact with both parents rather than one. Therefore the bill is to be acknowledged for having a new formula that recognises shared care. New Zealand First recognises that it is often difficult for paying parents to have their shared care acknowledged especially if it does not involve overnight care. Our Social Services Committee has worked really really hard to try to find a way to close some of the loopholes that the original bill had created. 
It is common for paying parents to have daytime care which can be quite costly too and I think we all acknowledge that. Therefore with the proposed system it is encouraging to see that consideration is given to these parents as the cost of supporting a child will be apportioned between both parents according to the difference of income adjusted by their share of care. It was a very difficult formula to understand and yes I acknowledge that we ended up with whiteboards to try to understand how it works. Such circumstances though when it comes to share of the care should be considered in order to enable just and equitable outcomes based on the level of financial support to be provided by a paying parent. I think that often we worry about arguments between mum and dad. Last night when I spoke at the second reading of this bill I did mention that we worry about what a child will become tomorrow yet we forget that he or she is someone today. We often forget that. 
New Zealand First believes that confidence must be instilled in our judiciary system and that parenting orders or agreements to establish the percentage of shared care for child support must be relied on. This will provide an efficient process of child support and reinforce court decisions made in the best interests of the child or children. With such a complex formula which is very much what Part 1 of this bill is all about we must rely on the Inland Revenue Department to provide adequate services to parents who may find it difficult to determine their liabilities and entitlements. People change employment and often come in and out of work but when income changes occur we must ensure that these will be dealt with thoroughly and without confusion. 
There has been confusion around self-employment and liable parents who use tax deductions to reduce their child support. The new formula must accommodate these situations. It is often seen that the introduction of a new system with an implementation period that is not transparent can cause a whole heap of stress to the communities affected. I do not believe that this system will avoid this. However it is imperative for families to have the new system in place to address the many loopholes that currently exist. 
This bill recognises the role that grandparents play in the care of children. It is a piece of gratitude that has been long deserved. When grandparents fall under the definition of “carer” it is often not by choice but is almost always accepted. Grandparents who are on superannuation have been faced with the costs of raising grandchildren. It is pleasing to see that the new system will look into this factor and ensure that not only grandparents but other relatives who take over the responsibility of caring for a child or children are also recognised. 
Parents should want to pay child support. I think that is very important. Parents should want to pay child support in order to raise their child or children. It should not be a burden or ignored. The new penalty or incentive plan as we call it attached to this formula enables parents to fulfil this right—the right to pay to support his or her child. The pressures of late payment can sometimes avert parents from supporting their children so let us hope that this has become more clarified within the outcomes of this bill. Raising children right should be a prerogative of any parent. The new system indicates that the old one made it difficult to do so. Thank you.