An investigation into Services Australia finds that it is not doing enough to identify and respond to financial abuse through the Child Support program. The report found Services Australia's actions were either unfair or unreasonable in addressing widespread manipulation and weaponisation of Child Support. The report makes eight recommendations.

Nine years ago, the Royal Commission into Family Violence in Victoria tasked the Essential Services Commission with creating regulatory protections for utility customers affected by family violence. This paper outlines how an essential services safety by design framework can be applied to identify and mitigate safety risks related to domestic and financial abuse.

This report highlights how the tax system is being used as a weapon of financial abuse – a form of domestic and family violence. It identifies how the Australian Taxation Office and other organisations can respond through prevention, detection and support for victim-survivors.

The action plan outlines the insurance industry’s position on the remaining recommendations from the Parliamentary Flood Inquiry and the independent review of the industry’s Code of Practice. The plan provides seven areas of focus and key commitments, and responds to the Parliamentary inquiries into floods, the impact of climate risk on premiums and financial abuse.

This report identifies shortcomings in the way Services Australia handled a Child Support case involving family violence concerns, including improper processes and communications. It makes several recommendations in relation to Services Australia improving its policies, processes and staff training.