DIRECTOR-GENERAL. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES, CHILD SAFETY AND DISABILITY SERVICES & BENT

In the Family Court of Australia, Kent J made orders concerning the children B and C, and their mother, Ms Bent. The Director-General of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services was the applicant in these proceedings. The dispute involved preventing the removal of the children from Australia and restricting changes to their residence.

The court was required to determine whether to grant interim injunctions restraining Ms Bent from removing the children from the Commonwealth of Australia and from changing their usual day-to-day residence. The court also considered the necessity of placing the children's names on the Family Law Watch List and ordering the surrender of passports.

Kent J ordered that Ms Bent be restrained from removing the children from Australia and from changing their usual residence. Injunctions were issued to give effect to these orders, empowering the Marshal of the Family Court, the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, and state and territory police officers to take necessary steps. The Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police was directed to place the names of Ms Bent and the children on the Family Law Watch List for two years, and Ms Bent was ordered to surrender all relevant passports. The proceedings were adjourned for further mention.