DUSTIN & SEVERSON

In the matter of *Dustin & Severson*, Judge McGuire of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between the mother, Ms Dustin, and the father, Mr Severson, concerning the parenting arrangements for their three children. The proceedings involved allegations of sexual abuse and impropriety, requiring the court to assess the risk to the children and the parenting capacity of each party.

The central legal issues before the court were whether the existing parenting orders should be discharged, and if so, what new parenting arrangements would be in the best interests of the children. This included determining the allocation of parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, and the nature and extent of the time the children would spend with each parent, particularly in light of the serious allegations raised.

Judge McGuire discharged all previous parenting orders. The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility, with the father to be kept prudently advised of important medical and educational matters, and to retain access to the children's medical practitioners and school personnel. The children were ordered to live with the mother. Specific time arrangements were made for the children Y and Z to spend time with the father, including fortnightly weekends, half of each school holiday period, and alternating summer school holidays. The child X was to spend time with the father as agreed by the parents in writing, with a direction that the Independent Children's Lawyer advise X of her invitation to spend time with the father according to the arrangements for Y and Z. The court also made orders restraining the mother from arranging counselling for X without the father's consent, and both parents from inflicting corporal punishment, denigrating the other parent, or discussing the proceedings with the children.