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Lack Of DNA
Paternity testing abuses Dads and KidsNew Zealand Child
Support Reform Network.
Press release: New Zealand Child Support Reform Network.
10 November 2004
For Immediate Release
Lack of free Family Court Ordered DNA Paternity testing abuses Dads
and Kids.
"The Labour Government is abusing fathers and children by failing to
legislate for free DNA testing to establish paternity", is how Jim
Nicolle, spokesperson for the New Zealand Child Support Reform
Network, responds to United Futures call for Family Court Ordered
DNA paternity tests.
"Paternity fraud is a world wide issue. It's a deliberate act of
dishonesty, with the clear purpose of depriving a child of her right
to know her genetic and cultural heritage, usually with the hope of
financial gain." Commented Nicolle, reflecting on a growing number
of referrals of parents forced by Inland Revenue to pay child
support while believing they are not the father.
"DNA testing removes the problem and should be freely available to
all parents. The findings should be binding on the Child Support
Agency and any cases of paternity fraud be appropriately dealt with.
"The potential for financial gain from these frauds is huge! If a
father is earning say $45,000, who lives by himself and has his
daughter on the weekends, he would be paying about $5700 child
support for one child. Over 18 years he could pay over $100,000 in
child support. That's a lot of money." Responded Nicolle when asked
what the financial effect on a father a paternity fraud could have.
"This failure by the Government to provide free Family Court Ordered
DNA paternity testing is just another example of the basis against
fathers that is evident in New Zealand Family Law." Concluded
Nicolle.
NZCSReform is a network of groups and individuals, that grew out
of MEN'S Convoy 2004, working in their area of interest, to bring
about a fair and reasonable child support system replacing the
current unfair and unreasonable Child Support Regime.
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