Brody and Denton

This matter concerned parenting orders for two children, N and J, born in 1998 and 1999 respectively. The proceedings were before Justice Austin.

The court was required to determine the parental responsibility for the children, including their living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and specific provisions regarding religious instruction, communication, and the facilitation of contact. The court also had to consider orders relating to the parents' conduct, such as restrictions on drug and alcohol consumption, and the requirement for counselling and mediation.

Justice Austin ordered the discharge of all former parenting orders. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for the children's religious instruction and upbringing, while both parents were to have equal shared parental responsibility in all other respects. The children were ordered to live with the mother. Detailed provisions were made for the children to spend time and communicate with the father, with specific arrangements depending on whether the father resided within or more than 100 kilometres of the mother's residence. These orders included stipulations for telephone contact, weekend and holiday time, and the facilitation of exchanges. Further orders addressed communication between parents, attendance at extracurricular activities, and the prohibition of corporal punishment, insults, and criticism of the other parent in the children's presence. The court also imposed restrictions on drug and alcohol consumption by the parents and mandated participation in specific parenting programs. Provisions were also made for dispute resolution and the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer.