Leon Perera on Family Justice Reform Bill

In Parliament on Monday (May 8), MP Leon Perera urged the Government to consider making maintenance payment “gender-neutral”.  It could do so by giving the courts the discretion to order that in appropriate cases, the ex-wife should pay maintenance to the ex-husband even if he is not incapacitated. This could apply to cases where the man earns much less than his ex-wife or stays at home to manage the bulk of domestic chores and caregiving. He pointed out that the number of stay-at-home husbands has been gradually increasing over the years. These men have sacrificed their careers and incurred significant opportunity cost to do unpaid care work and may have far less savings, he said. Mr Perera said allowing the courts to have the discretion to award maintenance to such men would serve to recognise their care, work and unpaid contributions and help to safeguard the financially vulnerable spouse. He said the current maintenance regime arguably reinforces traditional gender household roles.