Pullman and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the matter of *Pullman and Child Support Registrar*. The dispute concerned an application for review of a decision made by the Child Support Registrar regarding the assessment of child support.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the applicant, Mr Pullman, had established that the child support assessment should be set aside under section 117 of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) on the grounds that it would be 'unjust and unreasonable' to make the assessment. This required the Tribunal to consider the specific circumstances of the case and whether they met the threshold for setting aside the assessment.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal applied the principles established in case law concerning section 117. It considered various factors relevant to the 'unjust and unreasonable' test, including the financial circumstances of both parties, the needs of the child, and any other relevant matters. The Tribunal carefully weighed the evidence presented by Mr Pullman against the legislative criteria, ultimately determining whether the existing assessment failed to meet the required standard of fairness and reasonableness in the particular circumstances.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar.