Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald

In *Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald*, Young J considered parenting orders concerning two children, a son born in August 1995 and a daughter born in September 1997. The proceedings involved the father and mother of these children, with the dispute centering on the arrangements for their care and contact.

The court was required to determine the future parenting arrangements for the children, including issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the mother's time with the children. Further, the court had to consider specific conditions relating to the mother's contact with her partner, Mr G, and the mother's ability to communicate with the children. The court also had to address the discharge of prior parenting orders and the dismissal of extant applications.

Young J discharged all prior parenting orders and made new orders for shared parental responsibility. The children were to live with their father, while the mother was to spend time with them in Melbourne by prior arrangement and at agreed times, including overnight and weekend stays. Crucially, the mother was prohibited from bringing her partner, Mr G, into physical contact with the children until further order. The father was to retain his mobile telephone number, which the mother could use to contact the children regularly and reasonably for private conversations. The court also ordered the filing of a psychologist's report and discharged the appointment of the Independent Children’s Lawyer. All other extant applications were dismissed.