Preece and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The applicant, Preece, sought a review of a decision made by the Child Support Registrar. However, the Senior Member of the Tribunal determined that there was no reviewable decision before it, leading to the dismissal of Preece's application.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the Registrar's action, or lack thereof, constituted a "decision" that could be subject to review under the relevant legislation. Specifically, the Tribunal had to ascertain if the Registrar had made a determination or taken an action that fell within the definition of a reviewable decision.

Senior Member Hewson reasoned that the Child Support (Registration and Collections) Act 1984 (Cth) and the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth) define what constitutes a reviewable decision. In this instance, the Registrar had not made a formal decision that met these criteria. Consequently, the Tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application for review. The application was therefore dismissed on the basis that no reviewable decision had been made by the Registrar.