Beatty and Rubin

This matter concerned parenting orders made by Judge Willis in relation to the child [X]. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the child's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and communication between parents and the child. The court also addressed issues concerning special days, school holidays, and general communication and handover protocols.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility for long-term issues concerning the child's care, welfare, and development, including education, religious and cultural upbringing, health, and name. Further, the court had to establish specific orders for the child's living arrangements, detailing the periods the child would spend with the mother and the father, including provisions for weekends, weekdays, school holidays, and special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas. The court also needed to set out communication protocols between the parents and the child, and establish handover procedures.

Judge Willis ordered that the parties share equal parental responsibility for long-term issues concerning the child. The child was ordered to live with the mother in Cairns, with the father to spend time with the child as agreed or in accordance with a detailed schedule that progressively increased the father's time with the child from November 2014 until January 2019. Specific provisions were made for school holidays, including Easter, June/July, September/October, and Christmas holidays, with alternating arrangements and specific durations outlined for different years. Special days, including Mother's Day, Father's Day, and birthdays, were addressed with provisions for time spent with the non-resident parent, subject to certain conditions regarding block holiday time. Communication by telephone or video call was to occur weekly, and handover procedures were specified.

The court also made general orders requiring parents to keep each other informed of contact details and to attend Family Dispute Resolution for any parenting disputes. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and all outstanding applications, including the mother's relocation application, were dismissed.