Maddrey & Jane

In the matter of BRC 16116 of 2020 before Jarrett J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, Ms Maddrey (the Applicant) sought orders against Mr Jane (the Respondent) concerning the child support assessment for their child, X, born in 2017. The core of the dispute revolved around establishing the Respondent's parental responsibility for the child and formalising the child support assessment process.

The court was required to determine two primary legal issues. Firstly, whether the Respondent, Mr Jane, should be assessed for the costs of the Child under the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (the Act). Secondly, whether the Registrar of the Child Support Agency should be deemed to have accepted the application for administrative assessment lodged by the Applicant on or about 4 October 2017.

Jarrett J, being satisfied that the Respondent is a parent of the Child, made declarations pursuant to section 106A of the Act. The court declared that the Respondent shall be assessed in respect of the costs of the Child under the Act. Furthermore, the court declared that the Registrar of the Child Support Agency is taken to have accepted the application for administrative assessment lodged by the Applicant.