Child Support Registrar and Hartwell

The matter before Tree J concerned an application by the Child Support Registrar against Mr Hartwell. The dispute centred on a significant outstanding child support debt, which included arrears and late payment penalties, as evidenced by a certificate issued under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. The Registrar sought orders for the payment of this debt and for the preservation of certain assets.

The court was required to determine the quantum of the child support debt, including arrears and penalties, and to make orders for its recovery. Furthermore, the court needed to consider whether to continue an existing injunction restraining the respondent from dealing with his interest in a specific property, and to make further orders to facilitate the enforcement of the debt.

Tree J ordered the respondent to pay the applicant the sum of $70,657.30, representing the total child support debt. This amount was to be paid within 90 days. The court also ordered that the respondent pay the applicant's costs. Crucially, pending full payment of the debt and costs, the respondent was restrained from selling, assigning, transferring, encumbering, or otherwise dealing with his interest in the real property located at "E Street, Suburb F in the State of New South Wales." The applicant was granted liberty to serve these orders on the property's mortgagee and any other interested parties. The orders stipulated that if the respondent defaulted on payments or breached the restraint on the property, the entire outstanding debt would immediately become due and payable. The court also noted that any monies paid were in addition to ongoing child support liabilities and that failure to comply with the orders could lead to further enforcement action, including contempt proceedings.