Allery & Florence (No 2)

In the matter of *Allery & Florence (No 2)*, heard by Young J, the dispute concerned the living arrangements and welfare of two children, X (born 2011) and Y (born 2012). The court was required to make orders regarding the children's residence, supervised contact with their mother, and the involvement of Territory Families, Housing and Communities in ongoing intervention and safety planning.

The court was tasked with determining the best interests of the children, particularly in light of concerns raised in an Investigation and Assessment Report. This involved considering the need for supervised contact for the mother, the engagement of the parties with a strengthening families program, and the provision of specific documents and information by the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities to the court. The court also had to manage the procedural aspects of the case, including vacating a trial listing and adjourning the proceedings to a later date, while also setting requirements for the parties to provide submissions and trial plans.

Applying principles of family law concerning the welfare of children, the court ordered that the children live with their father. It further mandated that both parents arrange for an assessment for supervised time at a designated contact centre, with the children to spend supervised time with the mother upon acceptance into the centre. The court also directed the parties to engage with the Strengthening Families programme and ordered the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities to provide specific documentation relating to any abuse allegations concerning the children. Restrictions were placed on the issuance of further subpoenas to the department without leave, and psychological and family reports were to be provided to the department. The matter was adjourned for a trial call-over on 6 December 2021, with parties required to provide a summary of argument, minutes of orders, and a trial plan in advance.