Parents grounded

A RECORD number of parents who have outstanding child support debts are being stopped from travelling abroad, resulting in $10.4 million being recouped.

In the first 10 months of this financial year, departure prohibition orders resulted in 358 being stopped at a departure gate and presented with the choice to pay up or turn back.

Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said this was money owed to people’s own children, which should be their priority rather than travelling overseas.