LANDI & FLETCHER

In the matter of *Landi & Fletcher*, Judge Baker considered parenting arrangements for a child born in 2015, where the mother sought to relocate the child's primary residence to New Zealand. The father opposed this relocation. The dispute centred on the child's living arrangements and the mother's proposed move overseas, with the court needing to determine the best interests of the child in light of these circumstances.

The court was required to determine whether to permit the mother to relocate the child to New Zealand, and if so, what parenting orders, including specific time spent arrangements, should be made. This involved assessing the impact of such a relocation on the child's relationship with both parents and ensuring appropriate provisions for their ongoing care and development. The court also had to consider conditions and financial arrangements to facilitate the father's continued involvement in the child's life, particularly if he chose to relocate to New Zealand himself.

Judge Baker made orders for equal shared parental responsibility, with the child to live with the mother. Crucially, the mother was permitted to relocate the child's primary residence to New Zealand no earlier than 60 days from the date of the orders, and to enrol the child at a specified school there. The orders also included specific conditions regarding the father's consumption of alcohol and drugs, and restrained him from having the child stay overnight on his yacht unless agreed. A significant financial provision of $20,000 was ordered to be paid by the mother to the father to assist with his relocation costs, contingent on him providing evidence of resignation from his employment and a travel itinerary. The court also detailed extensive provisions for the father to spend time with the child, both if he relocated to New Zealand and if he remained in Australia, with varying arrangements depending on his accommodation status in New Zealand. Further orders addressed communication between the child and the father, and the mother's obligation to send videos of the child to the father.