Govt to overhaul child support system

United Future Party leader, Peter Dunne. File photo / Sarah Ivey

The Government is to overhaul the child support system.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne is to release a discussion document, Supporting Children, outlining proposals to change the system this morning.

Parents owe $2 billion in unpaid child care payments and penalties for non-payment.

Mr Dunne told Radio New Zealand changes included more recognition of time a child is cared for even if it is not overnight, which is the measure at the moment.

Also the Government wants the custodial parent's income to be considered when the other parent's level of payment is set.

"I don't believe that what we are proposing is going to be the right and popular solution in every case it can't be, but I think it is a much fairer set of options moving forward," he said.

"And I think if we can get to a position where people say I mightn't like what the system has in store for me but it's basically fair and reasonable they are more likely to comply."

The changes would build on previous measures such as better data matching across departments and with Australia.

- NZPA