Goombe and Goombe and Anor

This matter concerned an application by Mr Goombe (the applicant father) and Ms Freye (the second respondent) regarding the parenting arrangements for their two children, A and R. Bell J of the Family Court of Australia was required to determine the specific responsibilities of each parent concerning the children's upbringing, including decisions about their education, medical care, and cultural development, as well as to establish a detailed schedule for the children's time with each parent and protocols for communication and travel.

The court was tasked with determining the living arrangements for the children, the allocation of decision-making authority for key aspects of their lives, and the practical arrangements for their time with each parent. This included establishing a regime for the children's schooling, medical treatment, cultural upbringing, and general welfare. Furthermore, the court needed to set out clear guidelines for communication between the parents, including restrictions on discussing adult matters in the children's presence, and to address the complex issue of international travel with the children, including passport management.

Bell J ordered that the children live with Ms Freye and that she be responsible for decisions regarding their education and major medical treatment, while the father would be responsible for decisions concerning their cultural upbringing. Equal shared parental responsibility was ordered for all other decisions. The judgment detailed specific arrangements for the children's time with the father, including weekends and school holidays, and established protocols for communication, changeovers, and access to information from medical and educational professionals. The court also imposed strict conditions on international travel with the children, requiring passports to be held by the Registrar of the Family Court and outlining a detailed process for their release and return. All outstanding applications were dismissed, and the matter was listed for mention in six months at the request of the Independent Children's Lawyer.