Newton and Holder (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered an appeal by Newton concerning the child support assessment for their child. Holder, the other parent, had sought an administrative assessment of child support. The primary dispute revolved around the estimate of Newton's income used in calculating the child support liability. Newton contended that this estimate was likely to be less than their actual income.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the estimate of Newton's income used by the Registrar in the administrative assessment was likely to be less than Newton's actual income. This involved assessing the reasonableness and accuracy of the income figure relied upon by the Registrar.

The Tribunal affirmed the Registrar's decision. It reasoned that the estimate of Newton's income was not demonstrably likely to be less than their actual income. The Tribunal applied the principles governing administrative assessments of child support, focusing on the evidence available at the time of the assessment and the statutory requirements for estimating income when actual income is not readily ascertainable. The Tribunal found no basis to conclude that the estimate was inaccurate to the extent that it would prejudice the correct calculation of child support.