Ex says MP Billy Gordon owes her $18,000 in child support

AN EX-PARTNER of Billy Gordon claims she is being let down by the system that has allowed the controversial MP to avoid paying her $18,000 in child support.

Billy Gordon claims he has fulfilled all his child support obligations. Pic: Darren England

AN EX-PARTNER of Billy Gordon claims she is being let down by the system that has allowed the controversial MP to avoid paying her long-overdue child support.

The woman, who did not want to be named, claims to have documentation showing the independent Member for Cook has an $18,000 child support debt that has accrued over several months.

This is despite Mr Gordon claiming he has fulfilled all his child support obligations, and that complaints lodged against him have been driven by “underperforming political figures”.

The Courier-Mail revealed on the weekend that the crossbencher owed at least $34,000 in child support payments to two women, a year after promising he dealt with the debts, and that he has not filed a tax return in two years.

Queensland’s Speaker is now investigating whether the first-time MP misled ­Parliament.

His former partner said she was frustrated with both Mr Gordon and the federal Child Support Agency for not assisting her and their two children.

She claimed she did not receive regular payments through the agency, and Mr Gordon’s debt was allowed to continue to grow.

“This is not political, as far as I’m concerned,” the ex-partner said.

“It’s to do with supporting his children, financially, and keeping on top of the payments.

“I think the child support laws in this country just need changing, because the agency doesn’t work.”

Mr Gordon, in a short statement yesterday, repeated earlier comments that he was fulfilling his child ­support obligations in accordance with the child support agreement in place with all parties.

Department of Human Services general manager Hank Jongen said it was not appropriate for the department to comment on any individual customer cases due to privacy reasons.

“We know a range of factors can influence each parent’s ability and motivation to pay child support, so we work hard to balance customer service, education and enforcement activities to help them meet their obligations,” he said.

“If parents don’t meet their child support obligations, there are a range of measures under the child support compliance program to recover outstanding payments — this can range from early intervention contacts to legal action in the most ­serious cases.”