COLLINS & FRAWLEY

This matter concerned parenting orders for two children, B and C, born in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The dispute involved the parents' responsibilities and the children's living arrangements, including a proposed relocation of the children to New Zealand.

The court was required to determine the nature of parental responsibility, the primary residence of the children, and the arrangements for the children to spend time with the father. Additionally, the court had to consider the father's ability to care for the children, particularly in relation to substance use, and the communication protocols between the parents. The court also addressed the discharge of previous orders and the removal of the children from the Family Law Watch List.

Forrest J ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders and the removal of the children's names from the Family Law Watch List. The parents were granted equal shared parental responsibility, with the mother having the children live with her. The mother was permitted to relocate the children to D Town, New Zealand. The court set out detailed arrangements for the children to spend time with the father, including during school holidays, and specified the financial responsibilities for travel. The father was prohibited from taking or consuming illicit substances, including marijuana, while the children were in his care. Co-parenting communication was to be conducted via email, and the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged. The orders incorporated a fact sheet detailing obligations and consequences of contravention.