Campana and Campana (Child support)

The case of *Campana and Campana* concerned an application for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The applicant sought to have the child support assessment varied based on the income, property, and financial resources of both parents. The decision under review was set aside and substituted by the court.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to depart from the standard child support assessment. This required the court to consider the financial circumstances of both parents, including any benefits derived from business interests and trusts, to determine if the assessment was not just and equitable.

The court's reasoning focused on a comprehensive examination of the parties' financial positions. It applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* to assess whether the standard assessment adequately reflected the parties' capacity to provide financial support for the child, taking into account all relevant income, property, and financial resources. The court considered the benefits derived from business and trusts in its determination.