Defaulting parents risk prison over maintenance

PARENTS who fail to keep up maintenance payments will face jail under new legal proposals unveiled yesterday, but the opposition claimed many maintenance recipients may still end up out of pocket.

The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill removes family law maintenance debt from civil debt, meaning that anyone breaching existing maintenance conditions without a significant change to their circumstances will be in contempt of court and face possible imprisonment.

It should also ensure that people attend court dates and could apply after even one missed payment.