Benenetto and Benetto (No 2)

In the matter of *Benenetto and Benetto (No 2)*, Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia considered various applications and made orders concerning spousal maintenance, interim applications, and the welfare of the children. The proceedings involved the husband and wife, and also addressed the potential participation of a third party, K Pty Ltd.

The court was required to determine the future conduct of several applications, including the review of spousal maintenance orders, the readiness of an interim application for final hearing, and the progression of another interim application. Additionally, the court addressed the wife's request for leave to amend her response and application, and the implications of these amendments for K Pty Ltd. A significant issue before the court was the suspension of existing orders regarding the husband's time with the children and the separate representation of the children.

Cronin J vacated the hearing for the spousal maintenance review and adjourned several interim applications to future dates, allowing for their preparation and determination. Leave was granted to the wife to file amended documents, with directions for service on both the husband and K Pty Ltd, and a timeframe for K Pty Ltd to respond if it wished to participate. Crucially, paragraph 2 of the September 2009 orders, concerning the husband's time with the children, was suspended until further order. The court also ordered that the children be separately represented pursuant to section 68L(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975*, requesting Victoria Legal Aid to arrange this representation and setting out the obligations of the parties and their legal representatives to provide documents to the Independent Children’s Lawyer.