so my wife and I have decided to separate. Talking about it for a while and coming to the conclusion today. She says we are now separated but will live under the same roof till we find somewhere to live. I am the only income earner as my wife is on maternity leave (only Family payment). When I said I will set up a new bank account and move my pay into it she said ok so you're going to leave your wife and daughter to starve. I'm a bit perplexed. If we are separated shouldn't I at least be able to move any future income into my own account now and leave our joint account till we finalise separation? She said she needs to wait for Centrelink to start paying single parenting payment. If I move income to my own account I will start child support now.
Statements such as "my wife
and I have decided to separate", and, "...but will live under the same roof till
we find somewhere to live" suggest to me that she is trying to make this as amicable as possible. This is what everyone
should be trying for, at least for the children's sake.
Yes, if you are separated under the same roof you can, and should, probably also separate finances.
How old is the baby? Has she given a reason for wanting to keep the finances together for the time being, other than just that she would like to wait for Centrelink? Perhaps you have a high income and a ridiculously high mortgage/rent which would place her in financial hardship, at this point in time, if she were left to cover some of these expenses on a Centrelink payment, even with child support, given it will likely be relatively low if you are both still living under the same roof?
Sorry, but unlike my fellow members above, I cannot draw any negative conclusions about your former partner based solely on the limited information you have provided.
Has there been any discussion as yet about care arrangements for the child when you all find new accommodations?