Eliot and Dent and Anor

In the matter of Eliot and Dent and Anor, Foster J made orders concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for three children, B, C, and D. The dispute involved the Minister for Family and Community Services, the mother Ms Dent, and the father Mr Eliot.

The court was required to determine the appropriate exercise of parental responsibility for the children, where they should live, and the terms of any time the children would spend with their mother and father. Additionally, the court considered the exchange of information between the parties and the Secretary, and the imposition of restraints and injunctions on the parents.

Foster J ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged. The Minister for Family and Community Services was granted sole parental responsibility for the children, and the children were to live as directed by the Secretary or his delegate. The mother and father were each to spend time with the children on no less than six occasions per year, for four-hour periods, with arrangements to be nominated by the Secretary or his delegate and supervised. Strict conditions were imposed on the parents regarding their conduct during these visits, including prohibitions on substance use, abusive language, and discussing the proceedings with the children. Further injunctions prevented the parents from approaching the children's residence, educational institutions, or extracurricular activity venues, and restricted communication to only that permitted by the orders. The Secretary or his delegate was to manage communication and information exchange, including the provision of school reports and notification of significant events concerning the children. The court also made provision for random drug testing of the parents.