CHESIRE & LACONI

In the matter of *Cheshire & Laconi*, heard before Judge Newbrun, the dispute concerned final parenting orders for a child born in 2011. The proceedings involved the father and the mother, with the court ultimately making orders regarding the child's residence, time spent with each parent, parental responsibility, and international travel.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the child in relation to parenting arrangements. Specifically, the court had to decide on the allocation of parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements, the extent of the child's time with each parent, and the process for obtaining and holding the child's Australian passport. Further issues included the child's ability to travel internationally with the father and the mother's proximity to the child's school, health providers, and residence.

Applying the principles of the best interests of the child, the court discharged all previous parenting orders. The father was granted sole parental responsibility for the child, and the child was ordered to live with the father. The child was to spend time with the mother as agreed in writing and at the father's sole discretion. The father was given sole parental responsibility for obtaining an Australian passport for the child, with the court's orders providing authority for the Minister for Foreign Affairs or a delegate to issue the passport. The passport was to be held by the father, and the child was permitted to travel internationally with the father during school holidays without prior notice to or permission from the mother. The mother was ordered to return any passport in her possession within seven days, failing which the father could cancel it. The mother was also restrained from attending the child's school, school events, extra-curricular activities, or health provider appointments, and from approaching within 100 meters of the child's residence, except with the father's written consent. The father was directed to provide a copy of the orders to the child's school and health providers, and the Independent Children's Lawyer was to notify the mother of the orders. The notation indicated that the court or a Registrar may vary or set aside orders made in the absence of a party, and any application by the mother to set aside the orders must be made within 14 days of her notification.