Darwin restaurant threatens to fine parents a ‘defilement fee’ for kids’ food mess

A SEAFOOD joint has outraged parents after threatening to charge a “defilement fee” for messy children.

Beth Smith, 1, is confused by Seafood on Cullen's threats to impose a defilement fee on parents whose kids make a mess.

A TERRITORY restaurant has angered parents after threatening to impose a $16.50 messy child surcharge.

Disgruntled diners photographed the “defilement policy” aimed at parents, on the counter of buffet joint Seafood on Cullen, which stated a $16.50 defilement fee would apply “if a food party is left at your table”.

The restaurant charges $16.50 a head for children aged between three and seven and $21.50 for kids aged between eight and 12.

Seafood on Cullen refused to return NT News calls.

Darwin mum Katrina Kawaljenko-Smith said she did not agree with the defilement fee.

She said most parents did the right thing and attempted to clean up after their children.

“I think parents should – and I certainly do – pick up as much as they can, but obviously we don’t carry around a dustpan and brush,” Ms Kawaljenko-Smith said.

“When you factor in a $16.50 fee on top of paying what you do when you eat out with the family, then what is the point of going to a restaurant.”

READ MARIA BILLIAS’ COLUMN ABOUT THE ISSUE

Ms Kawaljenko-Smith, whose children are aged two and one, said she had not eaten at Seafood on Cullen for several years and this new surcharge would make her reconsider going there.

“My youngest particularly is pretty messy – I try to pick up what I can when eating out, but you will never get everything,” she said.

“And how do you know if they are going to be messy on any given night – it’s not as cut and dry as that.

“A lot of the time if the kids are tired and getting grumpy you just want to finish dinner and leave. It can be a toss-up between a bit of mess left behind and screaming kids annoying others.”

The notice at the premises on Marina Blvd, which is described on foodie website urbanspoon.com as “kid friendly”, sports pictures of small children covered in food, and goes on to say: “We understand your little one may not eat much.

“However, the best parties always end with a ‘big’ clean up! Please also make sure your child has adult supervision at all times.”

Jo Downs, who posted the photo on social media, said Seafood on Cullen had used the word “defilement” out of context.

She said she was “in shock” at the threat of a fee and would not dine there.

One woman responded to the post saying: “I’m sure kids make the same amount of mess as drunk people.”