Tuckey and Elwes (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the matter of *Tuckey and Elwes*. The dispute concerned the percentage of care attributed to each party for the purposes of child support assessments. The applicant sought to have the date of effect of a revised percentage of care altered.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether there were "special circumstances" that prevented the applicant from lodging an objection within the prescribed time limit. The applicant contended that such circumstances existed, which would justify an extension of time for the objection to be considered.

The Tribunal found that no special circumstances were established that would excuse the late lodgement of the objection. Applying the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, the Tribunal concluded that the applicant had not demonstrated a sufficient reason for the delay. Consequently, the decision under review was set aside and substituted.