Bletch and Douglas (No. 2)

This matter concerned orders made by Justice Le Poer Trench regarding the care and welfare of a child born in June 1998. The dispute involved the parents' arrangements for the child, including the mother's proposed relocation of the child to the United States of America and the father's time with the child.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders, specifically addressing issues of parental responsibility, the child's residence, the father's time with the child, and the communication and financial arrangements between the parents. The court also considered the implications of the mother's relocation and the practicalities of maintaining the father-child relationship across international borders.

Justice Le Poer Trench ordered that previous orders relating to the child's care be discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, with the requirement to seek and have regard to the father's opinion on important welfare decisions. The father was made responsible for the child's day-to-day care when the child was with him. Crucially, the mother was permitted to relocate the child to the United States of America. The orders then detailed specific arrangements for the father to spend time with the child during school holidays in Australia, including provisions for travel costs and communication methods such as telephone and Skype. Further orders addressed the mother's time with the child during the father's periods of care in Australia, parental attendance at the child's events, and the exchange of information such as school reports. The court also made orders regarding the return of specific documents, the role of the Independent Children's Lawyer, communication protocols between the parents, and financial contributions towards the Independent Children's Lawyer's costs. The Australian Federal Police were directed to be provided with a copy of the orders to authorise the mother's removal of the child from Australia.