Revisions to make the Attachment of Income Order legislation apply to the Government as an income source will be tabled to lawmakers June 27, the Home Affairs Bureau says.

The Attachment of Income Order Scheme, introduced in 1998, will allow a maintenance payee to receive punctual maintenance payments specified in the order. Under the scheme, the Family Court can make an order requiring a maintenance payer's income source or employer to pay a specified amount from wages to a maintenance payee.

As the law does not contain an express provision stating that it applies to the Government as an income source, the bureau said it is necessary to introduce the Attachment of Income Order (Application to Government & Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2007 so that maintenance payees can enforce maintenance orders against wages paid by the Government. Orders already made against wages paid by the Government will also be validated to avoid unnecessary legal challenges.

The bill will not create new obligations for maintenance payers subject to maintenance orders, who are obliged to pay the maintenance payees anyway.

The bureau has consulted major stakeholders, including civil servants and contract Government staff. They have not raised any objection to the amendment proposal.