Abbott and Abbott (Child support)

The matter of *Abbott and Abbott (Child Support)* concerned a dispute between the parties regarding child support payments. The applicant sought to have car lease payments made by the respondent recognised as child support. The decision under review was made by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the car lease payments made by the respondent constituted child support payments, notwithstanding that they were not made through the Child Support Agency. This required the court to consider the intention of the parties in relation to these payments.

Member Prasad affirmed the decision under review, finding that there was no mutual intention between the parties that the car lease payments would be treated as child support. The court applied the principles of contract and intention, determining that the payments were made pursuant to a separate agreement and not with the intention of satisfying the respondent's child support obligations. Consequently, the car lease payments were not recognised as child support.