KEEFE & THACKER

In this matter before Rees J, the court was asked to determine parenting and property matters between the parties, Keefe and Thacker. The parenting dispute concerned two children of the marriage, with the parents experiencing poor communication and inconsistent parenting arrangements. The father's work roster, which required flexible arrangements, contributed to these difficulties, as did his occasional unresponsiveness to the mother regarding the children. In relation to property, the dispute involved the division of assets following the parties' separation, with differing views on the parties' respective contributions during and after the marriage.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting orders for the children, considering the parents' communication issues and the father's work schedule. This included deciding on parental responsibility for long-term decisions and the specific arrangements for the children's time with each parent. Regarding property, the court needed to assess the parties' financial and non-financial contributions during the marriage and after separation, and then determine a just and equitable distribution of the marital assets, taking into account any relevant factors under section 90SF(3) of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

Rees J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the long-term care, welfare, and development of the children, with specific procedural requirements for the mother to consult the father on significant decisions. The children were ordered to live with the mother. The father was granted time with the children for 10 nights per calendar month during school terms, with a detailed process for selecting these days based on the father's work roster. Specific provisions were made for school holidays, birthdays, and Christmas. In relation to property, the court assessed contributions as 60 per cent to the father and 40 per cent to the mother, with the mother receiving a further 20 per cent adjustment for section 90SF(3) factors. The father was ordered to pay the mother a sum of $838,025 to facilitate the transfer of a property to him, and a NAB account was to be divided with 60 per cent to the mother and 40 per cent to the father.