Non-Custodial Fathers Counselling Services
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask the Minister for Community Services a question without notice. Is it a fact that more men commit suicide than the combined total number of deaths due to drug overdose and the road toll because many non-custodial fathers have unmanageable financial constraints placed on them by the Family Law Court and the Child Support Agency? What funding does the State Government provide to counselling services for non-custodial fathers in crisis who are distressed by their experiences with the Family Law Court and Child Support Agency? What action is the Department of Community Services taking to support distressed men and to help address this most urgent family crisis in New South Wales?
The Hon. CARMEL TEBBUTT: Recently there have been reports of an increasing number of custodial orders given to fathers by the Family Law Court over the past few years. The honourable member’s question refers to non-custodial fathers in crisis, a matter that is largely the responsibility of the Federal Government, which has done some work in this regard. Indeed, this morning I read a report in a newspaper about counselling services available to men—not necessarily non-custodial fathers—being made more accessible and using more male-friendly language. I undertake to obtain more detail from the Department of Community Services about the issues raised by the honourable member. However, as they fall largely within the ambit of the Federal Government, he may wish to direct a letter to the Federal Minister to ascertain more information.
