Elliott and Johnson

In *Elliott and Johnson*, heard by Judge Small, the court was asked to determine parenting orders concerning four children: W, X, Y, and Z. The dispute involved the allocation of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent between the children and each parent.

The primary legal issues before the court were the extent of each parent's parental responsibility, the specific time the father would spend with the children, and the communication and decision-making processes regarding the children's welfare. The court was also required to consider injunctions to prevent certain behaviours in the presence of the children and to regulate various aspects of their care, including medical treatment, education, and contact with third parties.

Judge Small discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, with the father to be informed in writing at least 21 days before the mother made decisions on significant matters such as changes in schooling, religious instruction, non-emergency surgery, name changes, or relocation exceeding 20 kilometres. The father would have ten days to provide his views, but the mother retained final decision-making authority on these matters. The children were ordered to live with the mother. Specific, detailed arrangements were set out for the father's time with the children, including during school terms, holidays, and special occasions, with provisions for communication and changeovers. The court also imposed injunctions restraining the parents from denigrating each other or discussing proceedings in the children's presence, prohibited corporal punishment, and set rules regarding showering with children over eight, leaving children with Mr F, and the sharing of school and medical information.