Baker and Baker

The matter of *Baker and Baker* concerned parenting orders made by Dessau J. The dispute involved the arrangements for the children of the marriage, B and C, born in 2003 and 2007 respectively. The orders were made by consent, with the exception of certain provisions relating to the supervision of the Husband's time with the children.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of parenting orders, including the allocation of parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, and the schedule for the children's time with each parent. This encompassed detailed provisions for school terms, school holidays, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Easter, as well as arrangements for birthdays and specific days like Father's Day and Mother's Day. Additionally, the court addressed communication protocols between the parents, changeover arrangements, and the exchange of information regarding the children's welfare and education.

The court's reasoning, as reflected in the consent orders, established that the Wife would have sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children living with her. The Husband was granted specific periods of time with the children, with detailed provisions for communication and holiday arrangements. Notably, for an initial period, the Husband's time with the children was to be supervised by his parents, sister, or brother, transitioning to substantial attendance by these individuals, before becoming unsupervised from August 2012. The orders also included injunctions restraining both parties from denigrating the other, and specific injunctions against the Husband regarding substance use and the use of physical discipline. Further orders mandated drug screening for the Husband, required the attendance of the parties and children for a psychiatrist's report, and established communication and information-sharing protocols.

By consent, all previous parenting orders were discharged, save for an Airport Watch List order. The court ordered that the Wife have sole parental responsibility for the children, who were to live with her. The Husband was granted specific time with the children, with detailed provisions for school terms, holidays, and special occasions. Certain provisions regarding the supervision of the Husband's time were made not by consent, but were to cease by August 2012, after which the Husband's time was to become unsupervised. The court also made orders regarding communication, changeovers, information sharing, and injunctions against both parties, including specific injunctions against the Husband concerning substance use and drug testing. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and all other applications in relation to parenting orders were dismissed. Liberty to apply was granted upon receipt of a further report from a psychiatrist.