Leatham and Hickey (Child support)

The matter of *Leatham and Hickey* concerned an application for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The dispute involved the income, property, and financial resources of both parents, with particular attention paid to benefits derived from a business. The decision under review was set aside and substituted by the court.

The court was required to determine whether to depart from the assessment of child support payable by one parent to the other, considering the financial circumstances of both parties. This involved an examination of the income, property, and financial resources available to each parent, including any benefits they derived from business activities.

The court's reasoning focused on the specific financial contributions and resources of each parent. By setting aside the original decision and substituting its own, the court applied the principles governing departure determinations to ensure a more equitable outcome based on the comprehensive assessment of the parties' financial positions.