'Deadbeat dads' could face fines

Parents who don't make their child support payments could face fines under a shake-up of the system set to be recommended by a parliamentary committee.

And those who spend maintenance money on alcohol, tobacco, gambling or drugs could have the money quarantined, similar to the income management system for welfare payments, the Australian reports on Friday.

A parliamentary inquiry looking at the child support system, including $1.4 billion in payments owed, is yet to table its report but is expected to recommend separated parents attend relationship counselling to negotiate financial arrangements for their children.