Park and Addinson (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia regarding a departure determination made under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The appeal was brought by the father, Park, against the decision of a single judge who had affirmed a departure determination made by the Child Support Registrar. The dispute centred on the Registrar's decision to depart from the formula assessment of child support payable by the father to the mother, Addinson, on the grounds of the respective incomes of the parties.

The primary legal issue before the Full Court was whether the single judge had erred in affirming the Child Support Registrar's decision to depart from the formula assessment. Specifically, the Court was required to consider whether the Registrar had correctly applied the relevant grounds for departure, particularly concerning the income, property, and financial resources of both parents, and whether the departure decision itself was justified.

The Full Court found that the Registrar had established a ground for departure based on the incomes of both parents. The Court reasoned that the disparity in their incomes was significant enough to warrant a departure from the standard formula assessment. The single judge's affirmation of this decision was upheld, as the Full Court concluded that no error of law had been demonstrated in the original departure determination.

Consequently, the Full Court dismissed the father's appeal. The decision of the single judge, which affirmed the Child Support Registrar's departure determination, was therefore allowed to stand.