Decker and Sefton

In the matter of *Decker and Sefton*, heard by Judge Halligan, the proceedings concerned interim orders relating to the welfare and living arrangements of two children, X and Y. The dispute involved the parents' arrangements for the children's care, contact with each parent, and specific behavioural restrictions placed upon the mother.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim orders concerning the children's residence, the father's supervised time with them, and specific prohibitions on the mother's conduct towards the children. These included restrictions on physical discipline and critical commentary about the father and his community. The court also needed to address the practical arrangements for supervised contact, including the role of supervisors and the need for interpreters.

Judge Halligan made several interim orders to ensure the children's welfare pending further determination. The children were to live with the mother until the adjourned date, during which time the mother was restrained from physically disciplining the children and from speaking critically of the father or his community within their hearing. The father was granted supervised time with the children on alternate weekends, with specific arrangements for collection and return, and the mother was required to ensure an interpreter was present at these changeovers. The court also ordered the appointment of an independent children's lawyer and requested the registry to arrange for interpreters for the parties at the next court date. The mother was directed to file and serve an amended response detailing her sought orders, and solicitors were to notify Victorian Legal Aid of the orders made.