Deadbeat Dads Who Owe $9.9M In Unpaid Child Support Banned From Leaving The Country

A single mum has revealed her frustrations in chasing her ex-partner for child support for eight years as the government bans deadbeat dads from leaving the country.

Jenna Oakley told A Current Affair that she has been going after her ex-partner, claiming he owes her over $37,000.

However, she revealed that she ‘helpless’ because the Department of Social Services reportedly told her they can’t do anything to get the money.

Ms Oakley said that her ex-partner has an income of as high as $185,821, but she said there was ‘no winning’ for her, forcing her to live with her parents.

“I find it pretty disgusting … I think kids needs to be put first and it’s the last thing that’s happening at the moment,” she said. “It’s not fair for one parent to have all the responsibilities as well as all the financial responsibilities to bring up children that it took two people to create.”

Ms Oakley is just one of the ex-wives who were owed $9.9 million in total from 1,800 deadbeat dads.

Data shows that from 218 in 2015, there was an increase of more than 1500 cases of child support payments not being paid last year, prompting a crack down on dodgy dads.

The policy of stopping was first introduced in 2001, but now, authorities are focusing on those who are frequent flyers living luxurious lifestyles.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Immigration Department and child support officers have joined forces to target some of the country’s wealthiest divorced fathers before they fly out of Australia.

Fathers have been forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in owed child support before being allowed to fly internationally. One who attempted to sail away was reportedly forced to pay $8000 when he was stopped by Melbourne Seaport.

Sources: Dailymail.co.uk, A Current Affair and The Daily Telegraph