Shirley and McLean (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Shirley against a departure determination made by the Registrar of the Child Support Agency concerning child support payable to McLean. The dispute centred on the Registrar's assessment of the income, property, and financial resources of both parents when making the departure determination.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Registrar had erred in law in making the departure determination. This required the court to consider whether a ground for departure was established under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) and, if so, whether the Registrar's decision to depart from the assessment was justified.

The court found that a ground for departure was established, as the Registrar had correctly considered the income, property, and financial resources of both parties. However, the court determined that the Registrar's decision to depart was not adequately reasoned and therefore set aside the original departure determination. The court substituted its own decision, departing from the assessment and making new orders regarding child support.