Brandella and Brandella

In *Brandella and Brandella*, Young J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning parenting arrangements for two children, W and D. The proceedings involved a contravention application filed by one party and prior orders made by Bennett J and varied by Watts J. The court also addressed a Form 1 application filed by the wife.

The central legal issues before the court were whether a contravention of previous parenting orders had occurred, and what parenting arrangements were in the best interests of the children. The court was also required to determine how to consolidate and proceed with outstanding financial matters.

Young J discharged the contravention application, indicating that the alleged breaches did not meet the threshold for contravention. The court then made new orders for the father to spend time with the children on alternate weekends, with specific pick-up and drop-off arrangements at a police station. Furthermore, the husband was ordered to attend and complete a post-separation parenting course. The wife's Form 1 application was consolidated with other outstanding financial matters, to be listed for a financial conciliation conference and subsequently for hearing before Bennett J.