KENNY & SLATER

This matter came before Judge Burchardt of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia concerning interim orders relating to the welfare of two children, X and Y. The dispute involved the parents' arrangements for the children's living situation, time spent with each parent, and various behavioural and substance use issues. The Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) played a significant role in proposing and consenting to the orders.

The court was required to determine the interim arrangements for the children, including where they would live, the nature and supervision of their time with the father, and the obligations of both parents regarding their conduct and engagement with support services. Key legal issues included the need for supervised contact, drug and alcohol testing, injunctions to prevent substance use, and mandatory attendance at parenting and anger management programs, all within the framework of the *Family Law Act 1975*.

The court made orders by consent between the mother and father, with the ICL's consent. The children were ordered to live with the mother, subject to her continued engagement with a specific program. The father's time with the children was to be supervised, with specific arrangements for attendance and duration. Both parents were ordered to undertake drug testing and attend various accredited courses, including anger management and post-separation parenting programs. Injunctions were imposed on both parents regarding substance use and on the father concerning alcohol. The court also ordered psychiatric assessments for both parents and directed that the ICL provide a copy of the orders to the Department of Human Services. The matter was adjourned for mention.