BERAN & MATOS

This matter concerned interim parenting arrangements for a three-year-old child, [X], born in 2015. The proceedings involved high conflict between the parents, with allegations of family violence. The child had previously spent supervised time with the father at a Child Contact Centre, and the dispute centred on the transition to unsupervised time and the appropriate level of relationship with each parent, considering the child's best interests.

The court was required to determine the interim living arrangements for the child, the specific time the child would spend with the father, and the conditions under which this time would occur. Key issues included assessing the risk of exposure to family violence, ensuring a meaningful level of relationship with both parents, and establishing a gradual and incremental arrangement for contact. The court also needed to consider the matters set out in sections 60CC, 61DA, and 65DAA of the *Family Law Act 1975*, as well as any views expressed by the child.

In its reasoning, the court ordered that the child live with the mother. The father was granted specific, supervised time with the child on certain dates and thereafter on Monday and Tuesday afternoons each week, with exchanges to occur at a police station. The court also imposed injunctions restraining both parties from excessive alcohol or drug consumption when the child was in their care, and from denigrating the other parent in the child's presence. The mother was restrained from changing the child's residential address beyond a specified radius. Furthermore, the parties were ordered to undertake parenting courses and to exchange mobile telephone numbers for emergency use only, and to inform each other of any medical issues concerning the child. The court also directed the preparation of a family report by a Regulation 7 practitioner to assist in further consideration of the matter, which was adjourned for this purpose and subsequently listed for a final hearing.