Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley wants an overhaul of all family-related legislation and repeal of the more than 100-year-old Debtors Act under which young men are jailed for child support.
She made the comments yesterday in the House of Assembly during debate on an amendment to the Maintenance Act removing the discrimination against men and including guardians among those who can apply for child maintenance.
Mottley also called on Government to set up an evidence-taking Joint Standing Committee of Parliament on Family Law in the same way one was established to deal with foreign affairs.
In addition, she suggested that there be more consultation with the public on issues affecting children before laws were passed and believed that Cabinet and Parliament, along with both political parties, must stop courting popularity by acting in loco parentis [in the place of parents] with a well-educated populace and, especially, given that the role of Government was the facilitator of decision-making. (AB)
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