if that's what they want to do, then they can. it is not up to a consultant (or the government) to define the primary carer of a child. if someone states they are the primary carer, who are we to argue. the reality of the situation is that, if someone has the mentality that they WANT to bludge, whether they're on newstart (the dole) or parenting, they're going to do it. the people who want to screw the system are already well and truly doing it. they know the loopholes. they're the ones more likely to say they're seperated under one roof, while still living in a marriage like relationship and continuing to have more kids with their (ex) partner.

primary carer status is up to the family. Seven days a fortnight, and overnight EVERY night, i am my DD's primary carer. but for c'link, DH is listed as primary carer. not because we're trying to dupe the system, he would get exactly the same on newstart, but because he was linked to a job network member, while on newstart, that couldn't help him with the problems with his eyes, couldn't get a referral to an appropriate provider who COULD because they were booked up for months in advance, so we switched him to PPP when i went back to work, so that he didn't have to waste time attending pointless appointments. for all intents and purposes i am deemed her primary carer (she still BF's at least four or five times a day/overnight and i don't express so i HAVE to be around), but the government have DH listed as primary carer at this point in time. in 10 days he goes of parenting payment based on my income, and then it goes back to just FTB and no one gives a fig who her primary carer is again lol