Overview
- The Commonwealth Ombudsman found the two agencies knowingly did not apply parts of child support legislation because a drafting anomaly conflicted with the long‑standing 35% care policy.
- Services Australia identified the problem in 2019 and the Department of Social Services was told in 2020, yet the Ombudsman said they failed to take proportionate action or promptly brief ministers.
- The report issued six recommendations to improve compliance and accountability, all of which the agencies accepted.
- Services Australia has identified about 16,600 affected people, with disputed amounts ranging from roughly $60 to $10,000.
- The government intends the legal fix to operate retrospectively to avoid unfair liabilities, with a bill expected to be introduced when parliament next sits in February.