Haber and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered an application by Haber for an extension of time to lodge an objection against a decision made by the Child Support Registrar. The Registrar had refused to grant this extension, leading to the present review.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether it was in the interests of justice to grant Haber an extension of time to lodge her objection. This involved assessing whether Haber had provided a satisfactory explanation for the delay in lodging her objection, whether her objection had arguable merit, and whether granting the extension would cause minimal prejudice to the Child Support Registrar.

In reaching its decision, the Tribunal applied the principles governing extensions of time in administrative law. It weighed the competing factors, including the applicant's explanation for the delay, the potential merits of the substantive objection, and the prejudice to the respondent. The Tribunal found that these factors, when considered holistically, favoured the granting of an extension.

Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the Registrar's decision to refuse the extension of time and substituted it with a decision to grant the extension.