Bookhurst & Bookhurst

In the matter of *Bookhurst & Bookhurst*, Rose J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting of three children. The dispute involved the arrangements for the children's time with each parent and the allocation of parental responsibility for significant long-term issues.

The court was required to determine the terms of parenting orders, including the extent of equal shared parental responsibility, the specific living arrangements for the children, and the nature and frequency of the children's time with the father. Further issues included the conditions under which unsupervised time could occur, communication protocols between the parents and children, and specific suspensions of time arrangements related to religious observances and parental birthdays. The court also considered provisions for travel, notification of serious injury or illness, and restrictions on parental conduct in the presence of the children.

Rose J discharged all current parenting orders and established new arrangements. The parties were granted equal shared parental responsibility for major long-term issues, with the exception that the mother would have sole responsibility for the children's health, religious, and cultural upbringing. The children were ordered to live with the mother, with specific provisions for the father's time, including supervised and unsupervised periods, and communication arrangements. Crucially, the court stipulated that unsupervised overnight time with the father would only commence upon receipt of a psychiatric or psychological report confirming he posed no risk of abusive behaviour towards the children. The orders also included detailed provisions regarding communication, parental conduct, and notification requirements in various circumstances.