MacCubbin and Paderewski (Child support)

This matter concerned an application for review by Mr MacCubbin of a departure determination made by an objections officer. The objections officer had increased the annual rate of child support payable by Mr MacCubbin for the periods 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 and 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021, by $2,382 and $2,874 respectively. These increases were in respect of private school fees paid for the child. The review was heard by the tribunal on 5 June 2020.

The tribunal was required to determine whether the objections officer's decision to make a departure from the child support assessment was justified. This involved considering whether the costs of education, specifically private school fees, were a manner expected by both parents and whether these costs significantly affected the cost of maintaining the children.

The tribunal considered the evidence and material before it, including documents provided by both parties and further documents requested from Ms Paderewski. Mr MacCubbin sought to introduce further documents regarding Ms Paderewski's financial resources, but these were not accepted by the tribunal as they were lodged after the compliance date and no direction was given for their late acceptance. The tribunal's reasoning and the specific legal principles applied in relation to the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 are not detailed in the provided text.