Director-General, Department of Communities (Child Safety Services) and Hardwick

The Director-General of the Department of Communities (Child Safety Services) applied to the Supreme Court of Queensland for a return order concerning a child, P, born in February 2002. The application was opposed by the respondent father, Mr Hardwick, born in 1978.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether to grant the Director-General's application for a return order, which would have compelled the return of the child P to the Director-General. This required the Court to consider the existing orders made by Justice Barry on 28 February 2011, and the circumstances surrounding the child's welfare and the father's rights.

Forrest J dismissed the Director-General's application for a return order. The Court discharged paragraphs 2 to 8 of Justice Barry's previous orders and ordered the return of the passports of both the respondent father and the child, P, to the father. Furthermore, the Court requested the Australian Federal Police to remove the names of Mr Hardwick and P from the All Points Watch Alert System at all international arrival and departure points in Australia.