Linnell and Chriss (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the matter of Linnell and Chriss concerning a child support assessment. The dispute centred on the percentage of care attributed to the mother for the subject children, with the applicant seeking a review of a decision that affirmed the existing pattern of care. The children were residing with the mother at the time of the decision under review.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether there had been a change in the pattern of care for the children that would warrant a reassessment of the percentage of care attributed to each parent under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. Specifically, the Tribunal had to consider if the existing care arrangements, where the children lived with the mother, were accurately reflected in the child support assessment.

Member M King affirmed the decision under review, finding that there had been no change to the existing pattern of care for the children. The Tribunal applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* in assessing the care arrangements. The conclusion was that the existing pattern of care, which involved the children living with the mother, remained unchanged and therefore the current assessment was to be upheld.