Lowry and Jeffery and Anor

In this matter before Carew J, the court considered the parenting arrangements for a child, B, born in 2010. The primary parties were Ms Jeffery, the mother, and Mr Lowry, the grandfather. Ms Dodson, an intervenor, also played a significant role in the proceedings. The dispute centred on who should have parental responsibility for the child, where the child should live, and the nature and extent of time the child would spend with each of the adults involved.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting orders for the child, B, considering the welfare and best interests of the child. This involved assessing the roles and capacities of the mother, grandfather, and intervenor, and establishing a framework for the child's living arrangements and time spent with each party. The court also had to consider the need for supervision and the potential for ongoing issues, including the mother's engagement with support services and her conduct in relation to substance use and alcohol.

Carew J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the child and that the child live with her. The court made detailed provisions for the child to spend time with the grandfather and the intervenor, initially at a contact centre with supervision, and with progressively longer periods of time for the intervenor over a subsequent 18-month period. Crucially, the court issued injunctions under section 68B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) restraining the mother from unlawful drug use and alcohol consumption in the presence or vicinity of the child. Similar injunctions were made against the intervenor regarding drug use. Further injunctions were made restraining the intervenor from leaving the child with the grandfather unless another responsible adult was present, and from filming or questioning the child for the purpose of gathering evidence against the mother. Both the intervenor and grandfather were restrained from attending the mother's residence or the child's school unless invited in writing. The mother was also ordered to enrol in and complete parenting courses and to engage with child protection services.