Godfrey and Bamer (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the dispute between Godfrey and Bamer concerning particulars of an administrative assessment of child support. The applicant, Godfrey, sought review of a decision made by the Registrar of the Child Support Agency (CSA).

The primary legal issue before the AAT was whether the Registrar had correctly reconciled the income estimates of the parties for the purposes of the child support assessment. Specifically, the Tribunal had to determine if the reconciliation process adequately accounted for the income information provided by both parties.

In reaching its decision, the AAT applied the principles of administrative review, focusing on the evidence before the Registrar and the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. The Tribunal examined the steps taken by the Registrar in estimating the income of each party and reconciling these estimates. The AAT found that the Registrar's reconciliation of the income estimates was correct and that the decision under review should be affirmed.