MacDougal & Benson (No. 2)

In *MacDougal & Benson (No. 2)*, Cronin J considered applications for interim spousal maintenance and other financial relief between the parties. The dispute concerned the distribution of trust funds and the payment of various debts and expenses pending final resolution of the matter.

The court was required to determine the extent to which urgent spousal maintenance should be paid, the payment of outstanding rates and utilities, the provision of funds for the purchase of motor vehicles for both parties, and the discharge of specific debts, including those encumbering a property and a husband's credit card debt. Further issues included the wife's application for periodic spousal maintenance and the payment for therapeutic counselling and psychiatric assessments.

Cronin J ordered the payment of six weeks of urgent spousal maintenance, the outstanding rates and utilities, and specific sums for motor vehicles for each party. The court also ordered the payment of a portion of the Westpac Bank debts and limited the husband's credit card debt repayment. The wife's undertaking to the court was released, and certain consent orders were discharged. The application for periodic spousal maintenance was adjourned for listing, with a deadline for filing an amended application. Payments were also ordered for therapeutic counselling and psychiatric assessments. The applications for interim orders were otherwise dismissed, and the wife's application under s 139 of the *Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989* was dismissed.