Hullett and Connor

This matter concerned an application before Murphy J concerning the welfare of a child born in July 2001. The primary dispute revolved around the father's contact with the child, which was subject to existing orders made on 10 May 2005. The Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) played a significant role in the proceedings, seeking to issue subpoenas for documents related to an alleged incident involving the father on 25 December 2008 and his medical appointments.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim orders regarding the father's communication and face-to-face time with the child, considering the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and the father's medical history. The court also had to consider the ICL's application for leave to issue subpoenas and the subsequent inspection and copying of any documents produced.

Murphy J ordered that the existing face-to-face contact orders be suspended. The father was permitted to communicate with the child via mobile phone up to three times per week. Face-to-face time was to be supervised by a Family Consultant, Mr F, as part of a process under Section 65L of the Act, and also in consultation and written agreement with the mother and the ICL. Leave was granted to the ICL to issue subpoenas to the Queensland Police Service and the Royal Brisbane Hospital. The parties were granted leave to inspect subpoenaed documents, with the ICL having sole leave to copy documents unless otherwise ordered. The court also attached a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the Act.