O’Connor and O’Connor (Child support)

The matter of *O’Connor and O’Connor (Child Support)* concerned an appeal to the court regarding decisions made by the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The primary dispute revolved around whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care, which led to the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones.

The court was required to determine whether the Registrar had erred in revoking the existing percentage of care determinations and making new ones, specifically considering whether the Registrar had properly assessed the likelihood of a change in the pattern of care. Further issues included whether the Registrar had adequately considered the impact of non-compliance with court orders and whether reasonable action had been taken by the parties to enforce those orders or participate in family dispute resolution. The court also considered the application and duration of interim periods in relation to the care arrangements.

The court's reasoning focused on the statutory requirements for varying percentage of care determinations, particularly the need to establish a change in the likely pattern of care. It applied principles relating to the Registrar's obligations to consider all relevant information, including court orders and the parties' efforts to comply with or enforce them. The court found that the Registrar had not adequately considered the evidence regarding the parties' compliance with court orders and their attempts at dispute resolution, which impacted the assessment of the likely pattern of care. The court also reviewed the application of interim periods, noting that a shorter interim period was appropriate in the circumstances. The decision under review was varied.