Lindell & Ranteri

The Honourable Justice Cronin considered the parenting arrangements for the children N, B, and E in a dispute between the mother and the father. The proceedings concerned the allocation of decision-making authority for major long-term issues relating to the children.

The court was required to determine how parental responsibility for the children's major long-term issues should be allocated. This involved considering the practicalities of decision-making and the communication protocols between the parents. The court also had to address the specific arrangements for the handover of the children between the parents.

Justice Cronin ordered that the mother have sole responsibility for major long-term issues concerning the children. However, this was subject to a specific process requiring the mother to advise the father in writing of her proposals and provide him with seven days to respond. If the mother disagreed with the father's response, she was to notify him of her decision in writing, providing reasons for rejecting his proposal, before implementing her decision. The court also stipulated the location for the handover of the children, specifying McDonalds at A, and included a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the relevant legislation.