Ishak & Khalaf

In the matter of PAC 5253 of 2020, Mr Ishak (the applicant father) and Ms Khalaf (the respondent mother) were parties to proceedings concerning their children, X and Y. The dispute before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, presided over by Judge Obradovic, concerned the parenting arrangements for the children.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders regarding parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, and the extent of contact between the children and the applicant father. Additionally, the court considered the necessity of specific programs and interventions for both the respondent mother and the applicant father.

Judge Obradovic ordered that the respondent mother have sole parental responsibility for the children, and that the children live with her. Crucially, the court ordered that the children spend no time with the applicant father. The court further directed the respondent mother to enrol the children in the Anchor Program within seven days and provide confirmation of their enrolment. The applicant father was also ordered, within seven days, to engage in and complete the "Taking Responsibility – A Course for Men" run by C Counselling, and to provide written confirmation of completion to the respondent mother's solicitors and the Independent Children's Lawyer. These orders were made pending further order of the court.