Bronson and Bronson (Child support)

The matter of *Bronson and Bronson (Child support)* concerned a dispute between parents regarding the percentage of care for their child. The father, a fly-in/fly-out worker, sought to vary the existing child support assessment, asserting that his employer's persistent requirement for additional hours had made it impossible for him to comply with the agreed care pattern established by court orders. He also presented evidence of a change in employer and a new roster, which he contended further impacted the care arrangements. Discrepancies arose between the parents' respective calendar records concerning the dates of the alleged change in care.

The central legal issue before the court was to determine the correct percentage of care attributable to each parent, specifically focusing on the date from which any change in the care pattern should be recognised for the purposes of child support assessment. This involved resolving the conflicting evidence presented by the parties regarding the father's ability to adhere to the court-ordered care pattern and the impact of his employment circumstances on the actual care provided.

Member J Thomson considered the evidence presented by both parents, including their calendar records and the father's employment documentation. The court acknowledged the father's difficulties in complying with the original care orders due to his employment demands. After reviewing the evidence and the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, the court found that the father had established a change in the percentage of care. The court set aside the previous decision under review and substituted its own determination regarding the percentage of care.