Sassaman and Child Support Registrar (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered an application by Sassaman for an extension of time to object to a child support assessment. The Child Support Registrar had refused the initial objection on the grounds that it was lodged outside the statutory time limit and that no satisfactory explanation for the delay had been provided. Sassaman sought to have this refusal overturned by the AAT.

The primary legal issue before the AAT was whether it should grant an extension of time for Sassaman to lodge an objection to the child support assessment. This required the Tribunal to consider the merits of the proposed objection and the reasons for the delay in lodging it, weighing these factors against the purpose of the time limits prescribed by the relevant legislation.

In its reasoning, the AAT applied the principles established in cases concerning extensions of time for objections. The Tribunal noted that while it has a broad discretion to grant extensions, this discretion is not unfettered. It must be exercised judicially, taking into account all relevant circumstances. The AAT found that Sassaman had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the significant delay in lodging the objection. Furthermore, the Tribunal assessed the proposed grounds of objection and found them to have little merit. Weighing these factors, the AAT concluded that the Registrar's refusal to grant an extension of time was correct.

The AAT affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar.