Druidd and Ivens (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Druidd, against a departure determination made by the Child Support Registrar concerning child support payable to the mother, Ivens. The Registrar had determined that a departure from the usual formula assessment of child support was justified, and Druidd sought to have this determination set aside.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in making the departure determination. Specifically, the court was required to consider whether the grounds for departure, as established under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), were met, and whether the Registrar’s decision to depart from the formula assessment was reasonable in the circumstances.

The court found that the Registrar had correctly identified that the father possessed income, property, and financial resources beyond those disclosed in the standard assessment. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth), which permit a departure from the formula assessment where it would be inequitable having regard to the father's actual financial position. The court was satisfied that the evidence supported the Registrar's conclusion that the father had deliberately reduced his assessable income and had access to significant financial resources that were not being taken into account by the standard assessment.

Consequently, the court dismissed the father's appeal, upholding the Registrar's departure determination.