Hoover and Hoover

In Hoover and Hoover, Faulks DCJ considered orders relating to a child born in August 2002. The proceedings concerned the terms of parenting orders, with the court making additions and variations to existing orders.

The court was required to determine the terms of parenting orders that would best serve the child's interests, particularly in light of the parents' differing views and behaviours. This involved establishing specific restraints on the parents' conduct in the presence of the child and in relation to the child's upbringing and exposure to certain ideologies.

Faulks DCJ applied principles of family law concerning the best interests of the child. The reasoning involved imposing detailed restrictions on parental behaviour to protect the child from exposure to offensive, humiliating, or intimidating conduct, incitement of hatred, and political indoctrination. The court also ordered restraints on denigrating the other parent, discussing arrangements for the child without consent, and, in the mother's case, accessing websites promoting Nazism or racial vilification. The orders also mandated parental involvement in the ARCK Program and a Family Consultant's report to facilitate cooperation and ensure the child's optimal development and relationship with both parents. The court also ordered that neither party should cause further publicity regarding the mother's views.