Jing & Anor and Muldownie

The applicants, Jing and Anor, sought leave to commence adoption proceedings for a child, C, born in August 1998, against the respondent, Muldownie. The matter came before Dawe J in the Family Court of Australia.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether to grant the applicants leave under section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) to commence proceedings for the adoption of the child C. This required the Court to consider the best interests of the child and the circumstances surrounding the application.

Dawe J discharged all previous parenting orders concerning the child C. The Court then granted the applicants leave to commence adoption proceedings, indicating that the best interests of the child, as assessed by the Court, supported this course of action.