LADNER & LADNER

In the matter of *LADNER & LADNER*, heard before Judge Obradovic, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, X and Y. The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting arrangements in circumstances where findings of family violence had been made against the father, and the mother sought sole parental responsibility and that the children live with her, spending no time with the father.

The central legal issues before the court were whether there was an unacceptable risk of harm to the children if they spent time with the father, and consequently, what parenting orders should be made to ensure the children's safety and wellbeing. This involved an assessment of the father's conduct in light of the family violence findings and the application of the relevant provisions of the *Family Law Act 1975*, particularly concerning the paramountcy of the children's best interests and the protection from harm.

Judge Obradovic reasoned that the findings of family violence established an unacceptable risk of harm to the children if they were to spend time with the father. Applying the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975*, the court prioritised the children's safety and wellbeing above all else. Consequently, the court ordered that all prior parenting orders be discharged, that the mother have sole parental responsibility, and that the children live with the mother. The court further ordered that the children spend no time with the father and issued an injunction restraining the father from approaching the mother or children, intimidating, harassing, or verbally abusing them, and from denigrating the mother to or in front of the children.