Bayer and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Bayer against a decision of the Child Support Registrar to refuse an extension of time to lodge an objection. The Registrar’s decision was under review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the Registrar had erred in refusing to grant Bayer an extension of time to lodge an objection to a child support assessment. This required the Tribunal to consider whether Bayer had provided a reasonable explanation for the significant delay in lodging the objection and whether the objection itself had sufficient merit to warrant an extension.

The Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision, finding that Bayer had not provided a reasonable explanation for the substantial delay in lodging the objection. While the Tribunal acknowledged that the objection was not devoid of merit, this factor alone was insufficient to overcome the lack of a satisfactory explanation for the lateness. The Tribunal applied the principles that an extension of time should not be granted lightly and requires a compelling reason for the delay.

Consequently, the Tribunal dismissed Bayer's appeal and affirmed the Registrar's refusal to grant an extension of time.