Gomez and Gomez (No. 2)

This case concerned parenting orders made by Justice Rose in relation to the child of the parties, born in April 2001. The dispute involved the father and mother and their respective responsibilities and contact with the child.

The court was required to determine the terms of the parenting orders, including the allocation of parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements, and the nature and extent of the mother's contact with the child. Further issues included the mother's compliance with treatment and drug screening, and the father's engagement with support services.

Justice Rose ordered that all current parenting orders be discharged. The father was granted sole parental responsibility for the child, with an obligation to keep the mother informed and consult with her on major long-term issues. The child was to live with the father, and specific arrangements were made for the father, accompanied by a case worker, to collect the child. The mother's communication with the child was to be limited to twice-weekly telephone calls and supervised contact at a designated service, with a gradual increase in unsupervised time contingent on her compliance with psychiatric and drug screening requirements. The orders also stipulated counselling for the child, ongoing engagement of the father with a Family Support Service, and restrictions on the mother regarding drug consumption and derogatory comments about the father. The appointment of an independent children's lawyer was continued for 12 months.