Heydenrych and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

This matter concerned an application for an extension of time to seek review of a decision to cancel the applicant's carer payment and carer allowance. The applicant sought this extension from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

The primary legal issue before the AAT was whether it was reasonable in all the circumstances to grant the extension of time application, pursuant to subsection 29(7) of the *Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975* (Cth). This required the AAT to consider factors such as the extent and reason for the delay, any prejudice to the respondent, and the merits of the substantive matter.

The AAT found that the applicant's relationship with the care receiver had broken down, and any alleged agreement between them was questionable. Based on these findings, the AAT concluded that it was not reasonable to grant the extension of time. Consequently, the application for an extension of time was refused.