Dover and Dover

The parties to this matter were the mother and the father, and the dispute concerned parenting orders for their two children, B and C. The court making these orders was presided over by Justice Johnston.

The court was required to determine the specific arrangements for parental responsibility, where the children would live, and the time the children would spend with each parent. This included detailed provisions for regular time, school holidays, and special occasions. The court also needed to address communication between the parents, discipline of the children, medical decision-making, and arrangements for overseas travel. A significant aspect of the determination involved orders relating to the father's alcohol consumption and his engagement with support and therapy.

Justice Johnston made orders establishing equal shared parental responsibility, with the children to live with the mother. The orders detailed a phased approach to the children spending time with the father, gradually increasing the duration and frequency of his contact over time. Specific provisions were made for school holidays and special days, with certain times allocated to each parent. Crucially, the father was restrained from consuming alcohol while the children were in his care and was required to undergo regular testing and engage with alcohol support services for a specified period. The court also made orders regarding communication, discipline, medical care, and overseas travel, aiming to promote the children's welfare and facilitate ongoing co-parenting.

The court ordered that all previous parenting orders were discharged and that these new orders would commence on 1 February 2016.