Ginn and Mead

In the matter of Ginn and Mead, Mullane J of the Family Court of Australia made orders by consent concerning the parenting arrangements for a child born in November 2003. The dispute involved the parents' arrangements for the child's residence, time spent with each parent, and parental responsibilities.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of parenting orders, including where the child would live, the schedule for the child to spend time with the father, and the conditions under which such time would occur. Additionally, the court addressed the parties' obligations regarding counselling, parenting courses, communication with external agencies, and the exchange of information concerning the child's education and health. The orders also included specific restrictions on the father's actions and defined the scope of sole parental responsibility for the mother.

Mullane J applied the principles of consent orders, reflecting the agreement reached by the parties. The orders discharged all previous parenting orders and stipulated that the child would live with the mother. The father was granted unsupervised time with the child on alternate Saturdays, with specific arrangements for changeovers to be facilitated by the R Contact Centre. Both parents were ordered to comply with the rules and directions of the R Contact Centre and share associated fees. Further orders mandated the mother's continued attendance at support services and the father's attendance at drug and alcohol counselling. Both parents were also directed to undertake a parenting course. The Independent Children's Lawyer was authorised to provide certain documents to the Department of Community Services. The mother was required to provide consent for the father to receive school and medical information about the child. The father was restrained from taking the child to specific locations and from permitting certain associates to be in the child's presence. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility but was required to communicate with the father in writing on specific matters.

The court ordered that all outstanding applications by the parties be dismissed and that the Registry Manager could return documents produced on subpoena. The court also noted that the father's solicitors would engross the orders.