Beale and Beale

In the matter of *Beale and Beale*, heard by Judge Altobelli, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, X and Y. The orders addressed issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, time and communication between the children and their father, and the facilitation of the children's passports.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting arrangements for the children, including who would have sole parental responsibility, where the children would live, and the nature and extent of the father's time and communication with them. Further issues included the father's ability to access information about the children's schooling and health, the children's ability to travel internationally, and the conduct expected of each parent in relation to the children and their relationship with the other parent. The court also considered the need for the parents to engage in post-separation parenting programs and counselling.

Judge Altobelli made orders discharging previous arrangements and granting the mother sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with her. While the mother was to notify the father of major long-term decisions regarding the children, the father was to have no time or communication with the children for four months, except as initiated by the children. The father was to be provided with school reports and facilitated in attending parent-teacher nights, and the mother was to encourage communication between the children and the father. The court also imposed specific restraints on both parents regarding discussions about the proceedings, denigration of the other parent, and the father's conduct concerning alcohol and recording conversations. The orders mandated that both parents engage with Relationships Australia for a parenting assessment and attend relevant programs or counselling as directed. The father was also restrained from consuming alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol while the children were in his care. The children were permitted to travel internationally, with passports to be issued to the mother without the father's consent. Commencing in January 2014, the father was to spend time with the children on the third Sunday of each month between 10 am and 2 pm, with changeovers at the local railway station.