Flatley and Flatley (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the matter of *Flatley and Flatley (Child Support)*, which concerned an application for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The applicant sought to depart from the assessed child support amount, arguing that the respondent had provided money, goods, or property for the benefit of the child, which should be taken into account.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the respondent's provision of certain items constituted a sufficient basis to depart from the child support assessment. Specifically, the Tribunal had to determine if the value of these provisions met the threshold for a departure determination as contemplated by the relevant provisions of the Act.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision to depart from the assessment. It reasoned that the respondent had indeed provided money, goods, or property for the benefit of the child, and that the value of these provisions was significant enough to warrant a departure. The Tribunal applied the principles outlined in the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning departure determinations, focusing on the nature and value of the benefits provided to the child.

The Tribunal's decision affirmed the prior decision to depart from the child support assessment.