Hobbs and Hobbs (Child support)

In *Hobbs and Hobbs (Child support)*, Deputy Judge Walsh P of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia considered an appeal by the father against a child support assessment made by the Child Support Registrar. The dispute concerned the father's objection to the assessment, which he argued was based on an incorrect assessment of his income.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Child Support Registrar had erred in assessing the father's income for child support purposes. Specifically, the court had to determine if the Registrar had correctly applied the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989* (Cth) in attributing income to the father, particularly in light of his claims regarding his financial circumstances and the nature of his employment.

Deputy Judge Walsh P reasoned that the Registrar's assessment was sound, having regard to the evidence before them. The court applied the principles of statutory interpretation to the *Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989* (Cth), focusing on the provisions relating to the calculation of adjusted taxable income. The judge found that the Registrar had acted within their powers and had made a reasonable assessment based on the information available. The appeal was dismissed.