Darcy and Cameroon (No 9)

This matter concerned orders made by O'Reilly J regarding the parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent with the child T, born in July 1998, between the child's mother and father. The dispute involved significant issues concerning the child's welfare, including her education, health, and psychological well-being, as well as the parents' communication and future arrangements.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility for major long-term issues, the specific living arrangements for the child, and the nature and extent of the child's time with the father. Additionally, the court needed to address provisions for overseas travel, communication between the parents, and specific restraints on their conduct concerning the child. The court also considered the role and ongoing involvement of the independent children's lawyer and the Department of Families SA.

O'Reilly J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues concerning the child, subject to specific conditions regarding relocation, health decisions, and schooling. The child was ordered to live with the mother, with stringent conditions imposed on both parents relating to mental health assessments and therapy for the mother and child, attendance at appointments, and communication with practitioners and the independent children's lawyer. The court made no specific orders for the child to spend time with the father but included provisions for facilitating contact if the child expressed a desire to see him, and allowed for overseas travel to Scotland under specific conditions. Further orders addressed communication protocols between the parents, notification of medical practitioners and schools, and prohibitions on denigration and discussion of adult issues in the child's presence. The father was also subject to specific restraints regarding physical discipline and the use of cannabis and alcohol when the child was in his care. The child's passport was to be held by the mother, and the father was to provide it to the independent children's lawyer for collection. All other orders were discharged, and all other applications dismissed, with the independent children's lawyer to remain in place for 12 months.