Ari and Erani

In the matter of *Ari and Erani*, decided by Bennett J, the court addressed a dispute concerning parenting arrangements for a child born in July 1995. The proceedings involved the applicant mother, the father, and an independent children's lawyer. The core of the dispute revolved around the mother seeking sole parental responsibility and specific arrangements for the father's time with the child, including conditions related to drug use and testing.

The legal issues before the court included determining the appropriate parenting orders, specifically whether the mother should have sole parental responsibility, the terms of the father's time with the child, and the conditions to be attached to that time. The court was also required to consider the father's ability to comply with any imposed conditions, particularly concerning drug use, and the implications for the child's welfare. Furthermore, the court had to address the discharge of previous orders and the removal of the child from an Airport Watch List.

Bennett J made orders by consent, reflecting an agreement between the applicant mother and the independent children's lawyer, and not opposed by the father. The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the child, with the child to live with her. The father was granted specific time with the child during school holidays, subject to providing advance notice and clear drug screens, and to communicate weekly by telephone, subject to the child's wishes. The father was also restrained from consuming illicit drugs during his time with the child and from allowing the child to come into contact with known drug users. The court also ordered the discharge of previous orders, the dismissal of extant applications, and that the child be removed from the Airport Watch List, with the mother permitted to collect the child's passport. The particulars of the obligations and consequences of contravening these orders were to be set out in an attached Fact Sheet.