Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women and Molland

This matter concerned an application by the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women (the Applicant) against Ms Molland (the Respondent) regarding the child, Z. The dispute centred on the return of the child to New Zealand. The decision was made by Hogan J in the Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders concerning the child's return to New Zealand, including the discharge of previous orders, the physical return of the child, and the measures necessary to ensure compliance with the return. This involved considering injunctions against the Respondent and the involvement of law enforcement agencies.

Hogan J ordered the discharge of all previous orders and directed that the child, Z, be returned to New Zealand on or before 14 December 2019. To facilitate this, the Respondent was restrained from removing the child from Australia or from her current residence. The Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police was directed to retain the names of the Respondent and the child on the Family Law Watchlist, with provisions for their removal upon confirmation of travel arrangements. The Respondent was ordered to take all reasonable steps to give effect to the orders, and the Department was authorised to release passports. The Marshal of the Family Court and law enforcement agencies were empowered to take necessary steps to enforce the orders. All other applications were dismissed.