BRUCE & KINSLEY

In the matter of *Bruce & Kinsley*, Benjamin J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parental responsibility and time arrangements for a child, W, born in 2012. The dispute involved the father, Mr Bruce, and the mother, Ms Kinsley, regarding the child's living arrangements and the father's contact with W.

The court was required to determine the terms of parental responsibility, the specific arrangements for the child's time with the father, and the conditions under which such time would occur, particularly in light of the involvement of a Contact Centre. Key issues included the father's suitability for supervised time, compliance with Contact Centre procedures, and the potential for future adjustments to the time arrangements. The court also addressed obligations regarding the parties' conduct, including prohibitions on denigration, physical discipline, and substance use in the child's presence, as well as requirements for therapeutic engagement.

Benjamin J ordered that W live with the mother and that both parents have equal shared parental responsibility. The father was to spend time with the child for five hours twice per fortnight, with the specific timing and structure to be arranged through a Contact Centre. The orders mandated that both parties attend assessments for suitability for supervised time and comply with all rules and directions of the Contact Centre. The court also included provisions for the parties to contribute equally to the costs of the Contact Centre and for the father to engage with mental health, drug, and alcohol services, with liberty to relist for the purpose of increasing time with the child. The mother was also ordered to engage with therapeutic support.

The proceedings were stood over generally for up to eighteen months, with specific provisions for relisting the matter if the Contact Centre was unable to provide the required handover arrangements or if the Contact Centre recommended specific programs. The orders also included standard provisions regarding the consequences of contravention and details of support services, as set out in an attached Fact Sheet.