Committee urges govt to pay child support

The federal government has been urged to pay for child support when some parents who owe the money fail to meet their commitments.

A parliamentary committee into the child support system has recommended a government guarantee of payments, in a system where the state would make up some or even all of the shortfall if the parent refuses to meet their child support obligations.

In a report presented to parliament on Tuesday, the committee has also called for a specialist family violence unit to deal with parents who use the system to abuse their former partners and children.