Barrine and Vance

This matter concerned parenting orders sought by the mother and father in relation to their child, X. The proceedings were before Judge Burchardt.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting arrangements for X, including issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent with each parent. Further, the court needed to consider orders relating to communication between the parents, the provision of information regarding X's health and schooling, and importantly, orders to prevent the removal of X from the Commonwealth of Australia. The court also considered the need for counselling for the mother.

Judge Burchardt made orders granting the mother sole parental responsibility and that X live with the mother. Time spent with the father was to commence with limited, supervised contact, gradually increasing to unsupervised time over a period of months. The court also made detailed orders regarding communication between the parents, the provision of information about X, and importantly, imposed mutual restraints on both parents and X from leaving the Commonwealth of Australia, with the child to be placed on an airport watch list. The mother was also ordered to undertake counselling.