Major and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered an application by Major (the applicant) for an extension of time to lodge an objection against a decision made by the Child Support Registrar. The Registrar had made a decision regarding child support payments, and Major sought to challenge this decision but had failed to lodge the objection within the prescribed timeframe.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether there was a reasonable explanation for Major's delay in lodging the objection. The Tribunal was required to assess the applicant's reasons for the lateness against the legislative requirements for granting an extension of time under the relevant child support legislation.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal applied the principles governing extensions of time for objections. It considered the explanation provided by Major for the delay, evaluating its reasonableness and whether it constituted a sufficient excuse for not meeting the statutory deadline. The Tribunal determined that Major had provided a reasonable explanation for the delay. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the Registrar's decision to refuse the extension of time and substituted it with a decision to grant the extension.