DOWEY & MCLAUGHLIN

In this matter before Judge Altobelli, the court was asked to make orders concerning the children, X and Y, and their parents, Dowey and McLaughlin. The dispute centred on arrangements for the children's care, living arrangements, and the father's time with them, particularly in light of the mother's proposed relocation.

The court was required to determine issues of equal shared parental responsibility, the children's primary residence, the mother's ability to relocate, and the specific arrangements for the father's time with the children, including communication and special occasions. The court also needed to consider how to facilitate these arrangements, including travel and financial responsibilities.

The court ordered that the parties have equal shared parental responsibility for long-term decisions regarding the children's education, religion, and health, and any changes to living arrangements that would significantly impact time with a parent. The children were ordered to live with the mother in Adelaide, and she was permitted to relocate there. The mother was granted sole responsibility for day-to-day decisions when the children are with her, and the father was granted sole responsibility for day-to-day decisions when the children are with him. The father was to have a minimum of four consecutive days with the children each month, provided the children did not miss more than two days of school per month, with specific provisions for travel and communication. The court also made detailed orders regarding school holidays, birthdays, Christmas, and Easter, and stipulated that both parents should encourage the children's relationship with the other parent and refrain from denigrating the other parent. The matter was subsequently transferred to the Federal Circuit Court of Adelaide for mention.