Department of Community Services and Britton and Ors

The Director General of the Department of Community Services applied to the Local Court to discharge existing orders concerning a child born in February 2005. The existing orders, made on 23 November 2007, stipulated that the child live with Mrs Simon and spend time with the respondent mother, Ms Britton, under agreed conditions. The application sought to alter these arrangements, with the Department of Community Services being the applicant and Ms Britton and Mr Dole being respondents.

The primary legal issue before Judicial Registrar Johnston was whether the existing Local Court orders regarding the child's living arrangements and contact with her mother should be discharged and replaced with new orders. This involved determining the best interests of the child in light of the Department's application.

Judicial Registrar Johnston ordered the discharge of the previous Local Court orders. New orders were made pending further direction, granting the Minister for Community Services sole parental responsibility for the child, including day-to-day and long-term care, welfare, and development. The child was to live as directed by the Director General, and any contact with Mrs Simon, Ms Britton, and Mr Dole was to be as directed by and supervised by the Director General or their delegate. The parties were granted leave to relist the proceedings on short notice.