Ferdinandi and Ferdinandi

In *Ferdinandi and Ferdinandi*, heard by Justice Ryan, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child born in September 2005. The specific nature of the dispute leading to the court's intervention is not detailed, but the orders indicate significant concerns regarding the father's conduct and the child's welfare.

The court was required to determine the living arrangements for the child, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the terms of any contact between the child and the father. Additionally, the court considered the role of the Independent Children’s Lawyer and the need to inform relevant government agencies of concerns raised during the proceedings. The court also had to address the father's alleged use of illicit substances, abuse of prescription medication, and involvement in criminal activity, and how these issues should inform the parenting orders.

Justice Ryan discharged all prior parenting orders and ordered that the child live with the mother and that the mother have sole parental responsibility. The court granted the Independent Children’s Lawyer leave to provide a report to the Director-General of the Department of Community Services. Crucially, the mother was restrained from permitting the child to have contact with the father unless she was satisfied that the father was not using illicit substances or abusing prescription medication and was no longer involved in criminal activity. These orders were made pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the *Family Law Act 1975*, with particulars of obligations and consequences for contravention set out in an attached Fact Sheet.