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

The Director-General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, as the applicant, sought orders against Ms Karp, the respondent mother, concerning their child, V. The proceedings were heard by Kent J in the Family Court of Australia. The core of the dispute involved preventing the child's removal from Australia and maintaining the status quo regarding the child's residence.

The court was required to determine whether to grant injunctive relief to restrain the respondent mother from removing the child from the Commonwealth of Australia and from changing the child's usual day-to-day residence. Additionally, the court considered the necessity of placing the mother and child on the Family Law Watchlist and ordering the surrender of passports.

Kent J made orders restraining the respondent mother from removing the child from Australia and from changing the child's usual place of residence. These orders were to remain in effect until further order. The court also ordered that the Marshal of the Family Court, federal agents of the Australian Federal Police, and state and territory police officers were empowered to take all necessary steps to give effect to these orders. Furthermore, the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police was directed to place the names of the respondent mother and the child on the Family Law Watchlist at all international departure points for a period of two years, with provisions for removal from the watchlist upon expiration or further court order. The respondent mother was also ordered to surrender all current passports relating to herself and the child. The court also set timelines for the filing of pleadings and affidavits and listed the proceedings for a hearing.