ANA & ANA

In the matter of ANA & ANA, Bennett J considered an application concerning the welfare of a child, E, born in February 2006. The proceedings involved the child's parents and an independent children's lawyer. The core of the dispute revolved around the child's emotional and psychological needs and the potential for re-establishing a relationship with the father.

The court was required to determine the appropriate therapeutic interventions for the child, specifically whether to order therapy with a psychologist, Mr F, and the objectives of such therapy. Further issues included the vacation of a previously scheduled final hearing and the rescheduling of the matter, as well as the timing for the publication of a further family report. The court also needed to consider the role of the independent children's lawyer in liaising with the therapist and the potential for communication between the therapist and the family consultant.

Bennett J ordered that the parents take all necessary steps to ensure the child undergoes therapy with Mr F. This therapy was directed to address the child's current emotional and psychological needs, with the aim of potentially enabling the child to consider re-establishing a relationship with the father in the future, including face-to-face contact. The court vacated the final hearing scheduled for June 2013 and relisted the matter for August 2013. The deadline for the further family report was brought forward to July 2013, and parties were directed to give thorough consideration to this report before the relisted hearing to precisely specify their sought parenting orders. The independent children's lawyer was tasked with communicating with Mr F regarding relevant materials, with provisions for dispute resolution and the sharing of correspondence. The court also permitted the family consultant to confer with Mr F regarding the general progress of the child's therapy.