Bevan and Lesalles

Watts J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning the parenting arrangements for a child, B, born in 2012. The dispute involved the mother and father of the child, with the mother seeking orders for the child to live with her, for specific time with the father, and for permission to travel internationally with the child.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the child, the terms of the child's time with the father, and whether the mother should be permitted to take the child out of Australia for a holiday. Additionally, the court considered the father's conduct during his time with the child and the implications of contravening the orders made.

In making its orders, the court directed that the child live with the mother and spend time with the father on specified days, with a requirement for the father to behave respectfully towards the mother and her family in the child's presence. The court also permitted the mother to take the child out of Australia for a short holiday, requesting the Minister to issue a passport for the child without the father's consent. The court noted that this order was without prejudice to future applications for longer periods of international travel. Finally, the court included a fact sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).