Bandoni and Milic

In the matter of *Bandoni and Milic*, heard before Cleary J, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a female child born in 2007. The proceedings involved an application to vary existing parenting arrangements, with the court ultimately making significant alterations to the child's living arrangements and parental responsibility.

The central legal issues before the court were whether to discharge prior parenting orders and, if so, what new orders should be made regarding the child's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the nature and extent of the father's future involvement with the child. The court was required to consider the best interests of the child in determining these matters.

Cleary J reasoned that the existing parenting orders were no longer appropriate and ordered their discharge. The court then made orders granting the mother sole parental responsibility for the child, stipulating that the child live with the mother, and requiring the mother to keep the father informed of the child's residential address and significant medical events. The father was granted limited communication rights, including sending cards and gifts for the child's birthday and Christmas, with any further time spent by the child with the father to be agreed upon in writing by both parties.