DUNCAN & GRIFFITH

This matter concerned orders made by Bell J in the Family Court of Australia concerning the living arrangements and parental responsibilities for two children, M and E. The proceedings were heard on an undefended basis, indicating that the Father did not participate in the hearing or present any material.

The primary legal issues before the court were to determine the children's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the nature and extent of the Father's time with the children. The court was also required to consider orders relating to communication between the Father and children, the disclosure of school reports, and restrictions on the Father's conduct concerning the children and the Mother.

Bell J ordered that the children live with the Mother and that the Mother have sole parental responsibility. The Father was granted supervised time with the children for a minimum of two hours every eight weeks, with the costs to be shared equally. The court imposed specific conditions on the Father, including a prohibition on alcohol or illicit drug use for twelve hours prior to contact, and obligations regarding his mobile telephone number and communication with the Mother. Further orders addressed communication with the children via telephone, the release of school reports (excluding residential addresses), and restrictions on the Father attending the Mother's residence or the children's school. The court also included a provision allowing the Father to seek unsupervised time upon completion of a parenting course. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.