Fiona Carberry
Fiona Carberry was formerly Director of Sole Parent Policy, and Parenting Policy sections from 1995-98 in the Department of Social Security (DSS). She also worked in the Social Policy Divisions of DSS and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 1991-1994. She has a Master of Arts (Public Policy) from the University of Melbourne.
Recent articles by Fiona Carberry
15 January 2025
Child support: a 'wicked' public policy problem
Two generations of children have grown up since the Child Support Scheme (CSS) was introduced in June 1988 with the promise of “putting children first” when their parents’ relationship breaks down. Yet, the CSS is beset with many of the same problems that led to and surrounded its establishment.
16 July 2023
New age policy for sole parents
At the heart of setting the age of the qualifying child for Parenting Payment (PP) is the question: when should a sole parent cease to be treated as a person whose primary responsibility is to care for children and more like a person seeking paid work? Sole parents are, due to the absence of a partner, responsible for both caregiving and earning income.