GABER & AKHTAR

This matter concerned parenting orders made by Hogan J in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The proceedings involved the mother and father of two children, X and Y, and concerned the living arrangements and parental responsibilities for the children.

The court was required to determine the primary caregiver for the children, the allocation of parental responsibility for long-term decisions, and the nature and extent of the children's time and communication with the father. Further issues included the father's access to information regarding the children's schooling and medical matters, and the ability of the mother to obtain passports for the children.

Hogan J ordered that the children live with the mother and that the mother have sole parental responsibility for all major long-term issues, except for the children's names, in relation to which the parties were to have equal shared parental responsibility. The children were to spend time and communicate with the father according to their wishes, with the mother to facilitate this. Specific provisions were made for the mother to provide the father with an email address for communication, details of the children's school, and to notify him of any major medical issues. The mother was also granted sole authority to obtain passports for the children, with the Registrar empowered to sign on the father's behalf if he refused. All previous parenting orders were discharged, and outstanding parenting applications were dismissed.