Talfourd and Blanton (Child support)

The matter of Talfourd and Blanton concerned an application for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The dispute involved the income, property, and financial resources of the liable parent, with the applicant seeking to depart from the administrative assessment of child support. The decision was made by S Cullimore M.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether a ground for departure from the child support assessment had been established, and if so, whether it was just and equitable to depart from the assessment. This required the court to consider the specific circumstances relating to the liable parent's financial position and whether these circumstances were exceptional enough to warrant a departure from the standard assessment.

The court found that a ground for departure was established, having regard to the liable parent's income, property, and financial resources. The court then considered whether it was just and equitable to depart from the assessment in light of these findings. The court concluded that a departure was indeed warranted.

The decision of the original decision-maker to depart from the assessment was set aside and substituted with a new decision by the court.