CORLEY & PETRIE

This case involved parenting orders concerning a child, X, born in 2015. The dispute was between the child's mother, Ms Petrie (the Mother), and the child's father, Mr Corley (the Father). The matter was heard by Judge C. E. Kirton QC.

The court was required to determine issues relating to parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements and time spent with each parent, the father's completion of a Men's Behaviour Change Program, interstate and overseas travel, and the placement of the child on the Airport Watch List. Additionally, the court needed to make orders regarding the child's passport and impose restraints on both parents concerning social media and discussions about the proceedings.

The court found the Father to be a dishonest and unreliable witness, preferring the evidence of the Mother and her witnesses. The court noted the Father's history of domestic violence, breaches of intervention orders, and his dishonesty regarding child support payments. Consequently, the Mother was granted sole parental responsibility for X, with specific provisions for the Father's involvement in long-term decisions. The court also made detailed orders regarding X's living arrangements and time with the Father, including provisions for communication and holiday periods. Crucially, the Father was ordered to complete a Men's Behaviour Change Program, with his time with X suspended if he failed to comply.

The court made extensive orders, including granting the Mother sole parental responsibility for X, establishing a detailed schedule for X's time with the Father, and ordering the Father to complete a Men's Behaviour Change Program. The Father was also restrained from removing X from Australia, and the child was placed on the Airport Watch List. The Mother was permitted to apply for X's passport and travel internationally with X. Further orders included restraints on social media posting and discussions about the proceedings, and the establishment of a communication app for the parents.