GALAWAY & ALBION

In the matter of *Galaway & Albion*, Judge Young considered an interim parenting dispute concerning a two-year-old child. The child resided with the mother and had not had contact with the father for over 12 months. The father had a criminal history, had recently been charged with assault, and both parties had a history of illicit drug use, although the father had engaged in drug therapy and counselling.

The court was required to determine whether it would be beneficial for the child to spend any time with the father at this interim stage, given the circumstances. This involved assessing the risks and potential benefits of supervised contact, particularly in light of the father's history and the child's age and lack of recent contact.

Judge Young reasoned that while the father's history presented concerns, the child's welfare was paramount. The court sought to facilitate supervised contact to allow for an assessment of the father's current capacity and the child's response. To mitigate risks, the court ordered that the child live with the mother and that the father enrol in a Children's Contact Service for supervised time. Further, the father was required to undergo regular urine testing and a hair follicle drug analysis, with specific protocols and timelines for reporting results to the mother.

The court ordered that the child live with the mother, and that the father engage in supervised contact with the child at a Children's Contact Service. The father was also ordered to submit to urine and hair follicle drug testing, with results to be provided to the mother. The matter was adjourned for mention.