DAHER & HALABI

This matter came before Loughnan J concerning parenting orders for three children, B, C, and D. The dispute involved the father's contact with the children and the impact of parental conflict. The court was required to determine the terms of supervised contact between the father and the children, the extent to which parents should be restrained from discussing proceedings with the children, and the necessity of family therapy to address the children's well-being amidst parental conflict.

Loughnan J's reasoning focused on the paramountcy of the children's welfare. The court varied existing orders to facilitate supervised time between the father and the children, specifying the duration and the requirement for professional supervision by an agreed agency. Furthermore, the court imposed significant restraints on both parents, prohibiting them from discussing the proceedings or allegations with the children or within their hearing, and from showing them any related documents. The court also mandated that the parents and children engage in family therapy, with the Independent Children's Lawyer to nominate a therapist and facilitate the process, to address the detrimental effects of parental conflict on the children and their relationships.

The court ordered that the existing orders of 1 April 2014, as amended, be varied. Specifically, orders relating to the children spending time with the father were modified to allow supervised contact each Saturday afternoon, with costs to be shared equally. Both parents were restrained from discussing legal proceedings with the children and were ordered to engage in family therapy. The mother was restrained from contacting the children by phone or SMS when they are with the father, and both parents were to discourage the children from doing so. The father was restrained from attending extracurricular activities. Crucially, by consent, both parents were restrained from removing the children from Australia, with their names to be placed on the Airport Watch List for six months. All communication between the parents regarding the children was to occur via their legal representatives, except in emergencies. Costs were reserved.