Gardiner and Robbins

This matter concerned parenting arrangements for the child X, born in 2010, between the Applicant (Father) and the Respondent (Mother). The proceedings were before Judge Small in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The court issued a series of orders detailing interim and final hearing arrangements, as well as specific parenting time and communication schedules for the Father.

The court was required to determine the interim and final hearing dates and to establish procedural directions for the parties and the Independent Children’s Lawyer. These directions encompassed the filing and service of financial statements, affidavits, and outlines of case, as well as the preparation of a Family Report by a Family Consultant. The court also needed to make orders regarding the Father's time and communication with the child, taking into account an existing intervention order.

The court applied principles from the *Family Law Act 1975*, including provisions relating to the best interests of the child (s.60CC), equal shared parental responsibility (s.61DA), and considerations for equal time and substantial and significant time (s.65DAA). The orders for parenting time were made by consent, with specific schedules outlined for school term and holiday periods. The court also suspended the operation of an intervention order prohibiting the Father from approaching the child during periods of supervised time.

The court made orders for an interim hearing on 6 October 2016 and a final hearing on 30 October 2017. It also ordered the preparation of a Family Report by 15 September 2017, detailing various factors relevant to the child's welfare and best interests. The final orders established a detailed schedule for the Father's time and communication with the child, and suspended the intervention order during these periods.