Walls and Thals (Child support)

The matter of *Walls and Thals* concerned an application by the Child Support Registrar for the collection of unpaid child support amounts, referred to as "opt-in arrears". The Registrar sought to enforce these arrears against the respondent. The decision was made by Member M Kennedy.

The central legal issue before the court was whether there were indeed unpaid amounts of child support that could be subject to collection proceedings by the Registrar. This required the court to determine the validity and enforceability of the claimed arrears under the relevant child support legislation.

Member Kennedy affirmed the decision under review, finding that there were unpaid amounts constituting opt-in arrears. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* to conclude that the Registrar's application for the collection of these unpaid amounts should be accepted.