GUNSON & RODMAN

In the matter of Gunson & Rodman, heard by Judge Coker, the dispute concerned parenting orders for the child, X. The previous parenting orders were discharged.

The court was required to determine the arrangements for the child's long-term and day-to-day care, welfare, and development, including decisions regarding education, religious and cultural upbringing, health, and name. The court also had to consider the specific living arrangements for the child, the time the child would spend with each parent, and the associated costs of travel. Further issues included communication between the child and parents, parental conduct towards each other, international travel, discipline of the child, and the exchange of personal and medical information.

The court ordered that the Mother and Father have equal shared parental responsibility for long-term decisions. However, the Mother was to be responsible for the child's day-to-day care whilst the child was living with her, and the Father was to be responsible for the child's day-to-day care whilst the child was living with him. The child was ordered to live with the Mother in Sydney, and specific arrangements were made for the child to spend time with the Father during school holidays and on weekends, with provisions for travel costs and notice periods. The court also made orders regarding communication between the child and parents, prohibiting denigration of either parent, requiring mutual consent for international travel, and limiting discipline to the parents themselves. Both parents were ordered to keep each other informed of their contact details, medical practitioners, and any significant health issues concerning the child, and schools were authorised to provide information to both parents.