Greenberg and Greenberg

In *Greenberg and Greenberg*, heard before Judge Harland, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, [X] and [Y]. The mother sought sole parental responsibility, that the children live with her, permission to change their surnames, and that the children spend no time with the father.

The court was required to determine whether it was in the best interests of the children for the mother to have sole parental responsibility, for them to live with her, and for their surnames to be changed. Crucially, the court also had to consider whether it was in the children's best interests for them to have no contact with their father.

Judge Harland's reasoning focused on the paramount consideration of the children's best interests. The orders made indicate a significant concern for the children's welfare and safety, leading to the determination that no time with the father was appropriate. The court applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) concerning the best interests of the child, which includes considerations of the child's safety and well-being.

The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children, that they live with her, and that she be permitted to change their surnames. Furthermore, the court ordered that the children spend no time with the father, and the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.