Kassis and McKinley

In the matter of *Kassis and McKinley*, heard before Hannam J, the dispute concerned the parental responsibility and living arrangements for a child born in 2010. The orders indicate a significant divergence between the parents regarding the child's welfare and future.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent would hold, where the child would reside, and the nature and extent of any contact or communication between the child and the father. Furthermore, the court had to consider the practicalities of international travel and the issuance of an Australian passport for the child.

Hannam J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the child and that the child live with the mother. Crucially, the court ordered that the child spend no time with and have no communication with the father. These orders were further elaborated to grant the mother sole responsibility for obtaining an Australian passport for the child, with the court's orders providing the necessary authority for the Minister for Foreign Affairs or a delegate to issue such a passport. The passport was to be held by the mother on behalf of the child. The mother was also permitted to travel outside of Australia with the child for holidays during school periods without requiring prior notice to or permission from the father.