Mignogna and Arliss (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) regarding a child support assessment. The parties involved were Mignogna and Arliss, with the dispute centering on the percentage of care arrangements for their child. The AAT was tasked with reviewing a decision made by the Registrar of the Child Support Agency.

The primary legal issues before the Tribunal were whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, and consequently, whether existing percentage of care determinations should be revoked and new ones made. The Tribunal also had to consider whether the decision under review should be set aside and substituted, and the appropriate date of effect for any revised determinations. Furthermore, the Tribunal was required to determine if there were special circumstances that prevented the objection from being lodged within the prescribed time.

The Tribunal found that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care, justifying the revocation of existing determinations and the making of new ones. It concluded that no special circumstances existed to permit a late objection. Applying the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, the Tribunal determined that the decision under review should be affirmed.