Blinkhorn and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the applicant, Blinkhorn, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar. The dispute centred on the percentage of care arrangements for a child, with the Registrar having revoked existing determinations and made new ones based on a perceived change in the likely pattern of care. The appeal was heard by J Longo M.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would justify the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones. This involved an assessment of the factual circumstances surrounding the child's living arrangements and the extent of time spent in the care of a step-parent.

J Longo M considered the evidence presented regarding the child's time with each parent and the step-parent. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning changes to the likely pattern of care. The court found that the Registrar's decision was based on an incorrect assessment of the evidence and that the circumstances did not warrant the revocation and substitution of the care determinations.

Consequently, the court set aside the decision of the Child Support Registrar and substituted it with a new determination reflecting the court's findings on the percentage of care.