Torning v Child Support Registrar [2004] FCA 631

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Torning v Child Support Registrar [2004] FCA 631 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - Notice of Motion seeking dismissal of an Amended Application under s 39B of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) to restrain the Child Support Registrar from collecting amounts due and payable under statutory child support assessment scheme - Federal Court should exercise jurisdiction to review child support matters only in exceptional circumstances - statutory provision for comprehensive review rights at an administrative and judicial level - Constitutional validity of child support assessment scheme - Scheme not unconstitutional - Scheme not imposing a tax - Child Support Registrar not exercising judicial power - discretionary nature of relief sought - Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 (Cth) - Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth) - Notice of Motion granted. Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 (Cth) Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth) Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B Brock v Deputy Child Support Registrar (1995) 57 FCR 538 discussed Swan Portland Cement Ltd v Comptroller General of Customs (1989) 90 ALR 280 cited DuPont (Australia) v Comptroller General of Customs (1993) 30 ALD 829 cited Yarmirr v Australian Telecommunications Corporation (1990) 96 ALR 739 cited Whittaker v Child Support Registrar [2003] FCA 1429 cited Whittaker v Child Support Registrar [2003] FCAFC 114 cited Luton v Lessels (2002) 201 CLR 333 applied RICHARD JOHN TORNING v CHILD SUPPORT REGISTRAR AND RACHEL JANE STEVENS N 2255 OF 2003 TAMBERLIN J SYDNEY 21 MAY 2004

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N 2255 OF 2003

BETWEEN: RICHARD JOHN TORNING

APPLICANT

AND: CHILD SUPPORT REGISTRAR

FIRST RESPONDENT