Ruffer and Bignot (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the liable parent, Ruffer, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar regarding the administrative assessment of child support payable to the payee parent, Bignot. The dispute centred on the calculation of Ruffer's adjusted taxable income and the commencement date of a new child support period.

The court was required to determine whether the adjusted taxable income of the liable parent had been correctly applied in the child support assessment. Furthermore, the court had to consider the correct date for the commencement of a new child support period under the relevant legislation.

The Senior Member found that the adjusted taxable income had not been correctly applied, as certain income had been omitted from the calculation. Consequently, the decision under review was set aside. The Senior Member substituted a new decision, which included the correct adjusted taxable income and established the appropriate start date for the new child support period.