More than 90 per cent of Kevin Andrews' free relationship vouchers are still in want of a couple and a couch, even though the trial period for the scheme is almost half over.
The Social Services Minister is urging couples to take advantage of a $200 voucher, especially over the Christmas period, which can be an "emotional and traumatic" time.
The government has been offering the vouchers to all committed couples over the age of 18, regardless of their marital status or sexuality, since July. Australian lovers are able to register for a range of sessions including on parenting, conflict resolution and financial management.
Mr Andrews's pet policy, which has been given $20 million funding for a one year trial, is aimed at preventing costly divorces. It is also part of his bid to ensure that Australians are ready for committed relationships and to have children.
But the take up of the scheme has been sluggish, with just 7785 couples registering as of this week for one of 100,000 vouchers. According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, there are 4,684,701 cohabiting couples in Australia, meaning about 0.2 per cent of couples have taken advantage of the scheme so far.
To promote the vouchers, Mr Andrews' department recently wrote to all marriage celebrants in the country. Seminars with celebrants and family relationship experts have also been organised to stir up interest, and the vouchers are being promoted at bridal expos, GP surgeries and in hospitals.
Mr Andrews, who is a fan of regular counselling for his own marriage, has conceded that the gear up for the program has been "a bit slow," adding that there had been some misunderstanding about what the vouchers could be used for.
He told Fairfax Media that his trial was not about telling anyone what to do in their relationship, "but providing them with an opportunity to explore their expectations and aspirations".
"This time of year can be emotional and traumatic for some and I would urge couples to consider relationship counselling to put an end to the blame game and start rebuilding communications to try and resolve issues."
He said that counselling could also be used to give people "valuable tools to build a healthy and long-lasting union".
The scheme will undergo a formal evaluation, but Mr Andrews said he hoped to continue the trial for "at least another year".
The vast majority of those who have taken up a voucher are between 25 and 49 years old and are either engaged or married. Only 36 people who have registered for the scheme are 70 and over.
Almost 3000 couples have used the vouchers because they are getting married, 1614 have accessed one to "strengthen" their relationship and 2689 have attended sessions to "work through problems".
Couples can register for a voucher online at the Department of Social Services website.
