Child Support - Fair my *beeep*

The Australian Government believes the new Child Support System is fair. They say it better for both paying parents and receiving parents. I can say that from both sides it is far from being a fair system. I can completely understand why so many parents leave their jobs and go on government support.

How do I know? Well, not only am I a single mum who does NOT receive child support for my child. I also pay child support for my children who live with their father.

My understanding of how child support works.

They take both your taxable incomes and give you both the same amount for living expenses. Around $17,000 - $18,000. This is your money they can't touch on both sides. Then they look at dependents and their ages. As a payer, I have one dependant & he's 6 years old, they give me around $2,000 for him. They look at my ex's dependants (my children I'm paying child support for) and also give him a percentage that can't be touched.  After this split, they look at what's left, add what's left and what the percentage of the gross of both is and that's the percentage you pay.

That's all good and well. Can you see it. My ex gets the same this bit is safe for you for the kids, then he gets more from me on top of it. I don't get the same for the child that lives with me. My ex has income that is not taxable, therefore not reportable, therefore it doesn't get taken into account in the wages/taxable income when doing the calculations. It doesn't take into effect your personal circumstances, where you live, the cost of living in the specific areas around Australia. Doesn't take into effect lots of other circumstances that could effect every single paying and recieving parent.

This system is far from being fair. How can it be fair when the child that's living with me, doesn't get the same treatment as the children I'm paying for. This system is simply a way of making life even harder. The Australian Government has not listened to us. They have once again shown us that the people do not have a say, they will do what they want.

Employers showing appreciation

Why is it so difficult for employers to show their appreciation for hard work to their employees. They work hard, get the work out the door, keep them in business. Yet a simple thank you is simply too hard to do.

As an employee, we know we get paid to do the work, but if we go beyond the call of duty, put in the extra hours, meet deadlines, create new business and we don't get paid for the extra work. Then a simple thank you can mean the world to you.

What about, hey employee, you worked on Saturday when no one else would, why don't you take tomorrow  or some day in the future off and have some time to yourself? Doesn't happen. So why do we work the extra hours, why do we work so hard for an employer who doesn't seem to give a crap about you? I don't know. I'm putting it down to loyalty, but then loyalty will only get you so far I believe. Sooner or later, that employer will lose a good or great employee because they didn't say a simple thank you or show appreciation in some way, shape or form.