Lindsay and Baker

In the matter of *Lindsay and Baker*, Bell J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning the parenting arrangements for a child, B, born in October 2002. The dispute centred on the living arrangements and parental responsibilities for child B, with the mother seeking specific orders regarding her time with the child.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of child B, the allocation of parental responsibility for long-term and short-term care, welfare, and development, and the nature and extent of the mother's future contact with the child. Additionally, the court needed to consider the supervision of any contact and the mother's engagement with psychiatric counselling in light of allegations made against the father.

Bell J ordered that child B live with the father and that the father have sole parental responsibility for the child's long-term and short-term care, welfare, and development. The mother was granted supervised time with the child, specifically two hours after school once a fortnight on a weekday nominated by a Family Consultant, to occur within the court precincts and be supervised by a Family Consultant. Further supervised contact was permitted on a weekday in the off-week, subject to the organisation of a contact centre by the Independent Children’s Lawyer. The Independent Children’s Lawyer was also directed to endeavour to find an approved adult to supervise the mother's time with the child on weekends. The mother was ordered to attend further psychiatric counselling regarding her allegations against the father, with a report to be provided. The mother was permitted to send letters, cards, and gifts to the child. The application was dismissed, and the matter was to be reviewed by the court no later than 30 November of that year.