HADDON & BANOS

In the matter of *Haddon & Banos*, Judge Carter of the Family Court of Australia considered parenting orders concerning two children, Y and X. The dispute involved allegations of severe family violence by the Father, Mr. Haddon, and the assessment of risk to the children.

The Court was required to determine whether the existing parenting orders should be discharged and, if so, what new orders were in the children's best interests, particularly in light of the alleged family violence. Key issues included the assessment of unacceptable risk posed by the Father, and whether the Mother should have sole parental responsibility and the children live with her, with no time or communication with the Father.

Judge Carter's reasoning focused on the paramount consideration of the children's best interests, as mandated by the *Family Law Act 1975*. The Court assessed the evidence relating to the allegations of severe family violence and determined that there was an unacceptable risk to the children if they had contact with the Father. Applying principles of child protection and the assessment of risk in family law proceedings, the Court concluded that sole parental responsibility for the Mother and no time or communication with the Father were necessary to ensure the children's safety and well-being.

Consequently, the Court ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders. The Mother was granted sole parental responsibility, and the children were ordered to live with her. The children were to spend no time and have no communication with the Father. The Mother was permitted to apply for passports for the children without the Father's consent, and liberty was granted to her solicitors to provide a copy of the orders to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. All extant applications were dismissed.