Leo and Hanson

This matter concerned parenting orders for a child, K, born in June 2005, who was the child of Mr Leo ("the father") and Miss A Hanson (deceased). The proceedings were before Coleman J. The dispute arose following the death of the child's mother, necessitating a review of existing parenting arrangements.

The court was required to determine the future parental responsibility for K, considering the father and the maternal grandmother. Specifically, the court needed to establish a living arrangement for K, including the division of time between the father and the maternal grandmother, and to make orders regarding communication, education, and notification of significant events.

Coleman J ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged. The court made orders for joint parental responsibility between the father and the maternal grandmother. K was to live with the father for specific periods each month and during school holidays, with the maternal grandmother caring for K at all other times. The maternal grandmother was also directed to enrol in the local Aboriginal Lands Council and apply for a scholarship for K's high school education. The orders also detailed communication arrangements, including video calls and regular telephone contact, and established protocols for notification of illness, hospitalisation, and changes of address.