Arazi and Barakat

In the matter of *Arazi and Barakat*, heard by Judge Halligan, the dispute concerned the parenting arrangements for two children, [X] born in 1999 and [Y] born in 2003. The court was required to determine the future parental responsibility, living arrangements, and communication between the father and the children, as well as orders for the personal protection of the mother and children.

The court's reasoning led to significant orders regarding the children's welfare. All prior orders concerning the children were discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, and the children were ordered to live with her. The mother was also permitted to change the children's last name to Barakat. Crucially, the father was prohibited from spending time with the children, with limited exceptions for written communication through cards or letters, subject to strict conditions designed to protect the children from distress or alarm.

Further orders were made to safeguard the children. The father was restrained from contacting or communicating with the mother or children except as permitted by the court's orders, and was also prohibited from approaching the mother, the children, their residence, school, or extracurricular activity venues. These protective orders were made pursuant to s.68B of the *Family Law Act 1975*, with the power of arrest under s.68C applying. The court also made orders preventing the children from being taken out of Australia and requested the Australian Federal Police to place their names on the Watch List. The mother was authorised to share a medical report and the court's orders with treating health professionals, and specific notification requirements were established for hospitalisation or serious illness of the children, with reciprocal address notification obligations for the father.