Costello and Costello

In the matter of Costello and Costello, Tree J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application to vary existing consent orders concerning the time spent by children with their parents. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children's care, including specific periods of time with each parent, parental travel, supervision requirements, and the father's compliance with a medication regime.

The court was required to determine the terms of varied orders that would govern the children's time with each parent, including provisions for travel to Melbourne and the continuation or cessation of supervision by paternal grandparents. Further issues included the father's obligation to undergo blood testing to demonstrate compliance with his medication, and the facilitation of counselling for one of the children. The court also had to address the location for changeovers and the scheduling of a Child Inclusive Conference and a further hearing.

Tree J, by consent of the parties, made a series of orders varying the previous arrangements. These included specific times for the children to spend with the father, permission for the mother to take the children to Melbourne during a specified period with a suspension of the father's time, and the continuation of supervision by paternal grandparents until a set date. The father was ordered to undergo fortnightly blood testing to confirm adherence to his medication regime, and the mother was permitted to arrange counselling for one child. Supervision by the paternal grandparents was to cease from a specified date, and changeovers were to occur at a designated location. The court also ordered a Child Inclusive Conference and adjourned the matter for a further hearing.