Jasper and Montrose

This matter concerned proceedings before Brown J in the Family Court of Australia, involving the father and an intervener, Ms A Montrose, regarding the welfare of a child. The dispute centred on interim parenting orders and related directions aimed at ensuring the child's safety and well-being.

The court was required to determine a range of issues including the child's living arrangements, the father's supervision and drug testing, the need for psychological and grief counselling for the child, and the involvement of extended family members in the child's life. Further issues included the preparation of a Family Report, the potential intervention of the Department of Human Services, and orders restraining denigration of parties in the child's presence. The proceedings were also designated as the first day of a less adversarial trial.

Brown J made extensive orders addressing these issues. The child was ordered to live with the father, subject to conditions of substantial attendance by the father and supervision by Ms G. The father was also ordered to undertake random supervised drug screens and arrange for the child to see a grief counsellor and undergo psychiatric assessment. The court directed the preparation of a Family Report, with specific requests regarding the inclusion of certain individuals in the process, and requested the intervention of the Department of Human Services. Interim orders were made regarding time spent with the maternal step-grandfather and the intervener, Ms A Montrose. The court also issued an order restraining denigration of the other party or their family members in the child's presence.