Carlson and Fluvium (No. 3)

In the matter of *Carlson and Fluvium (No. 3)*, Bell J of the Family Court of Australia was required to make urgent orders concerning a child, D, born in June 2006. The dispute involved the immediate presentation of the child to the Child Dispute Service for handover to the maternal grandmother, arrangements for the child's travel to Canada and return to Australia, and the provision of travel and residential details. The court also addressed the return of the mother's expired passport for the purpose of obtaining a new one for her travel to Australia for an upcoming trial.

The court was tasked with determining the immediate welfare and location of the child, D, and to facilitate arrangements for the child's international travel. This included ensuring the child was handed over to the maternal grandmother and making provisions for the child's return flight to Australia. Furthermore, the court needed to establish communication protocols between the parents and the Independent Children's Lawyer regarding the child's whereabouts and contact details. The court also considered the stay of a previous order and the adjournment of applications pending a trial.

Bell J made several orders to address the immediate concerns. The father was ordered to present the child to the Child Dispute Service for handover to the maternal grandmother, with the father to attend with the paternal grandparents. The court requested Qantas extend the time for payment of the child's airfare to Canada. The mother was directed to book the child's return flight to Australia within one month and to provide the father and the Independent Children's Lawyer with the child's travel and residential details. The mother's expired passport was to be returned to her for the purpose of obtaining a new passport for her travel to Australia for the trial. An order from 30 November 2010 was stayed pending trial, and the application for final orders was adjourned for a three-day trial commencing on 3 October 2011.