Jowett and Shaughnessy

This matter concerned an application before Judge Willis concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for a child, X, born in 2010. The dispute involved the father and mother of the child, with the court making orders regarding the child's care, living arrangements, and communication between the parents.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility for the child, specifically concerning major long-term issues such as education, health, religion, and significant changes to living arrangements. Additionally, the court needed to establish the child's living arrangements and the specific times the child would spend with each parent, including during school terms, school holidays, and Christmas. The court also addressed the issue of the child's removal from Australia and the communication protocols between the parents.

Judge Willis ordered that the father have sole parental responsibility for the child, including making decisions on major long-term issues. The child was to live with the father, with specific provisions for the child to spend time with the mother on alternate weekends during school terms and for defined periods during school holidays. The court also made orders restraining the mother from removing the child from Australia and requested the Australian Federal Police to place the child on the Watch List. The court further stipulated communication methods between the parents, prohibiting physical discipline of the child, and clarified the mother's obligation to return the child to the father even if the child is unwell.

The application by the mother to remove the child from Australia was dismissed, and the mother's application for contravention was also dismissed. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and all outstanding applications were removed from the pending cases list.