Machaut and Bellini

This matter concerned an application by the mother for urgent parenting orders, with the father also seeking orders. The proceedings were before Bennett J in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The mother had arrived in Australia on 18 June 2016, and family report interviews for the parents and their child, B, were scheduled for 20 June 2016.

The court was required to determine the mother's application for urgent parenting orders and to make interim orders regarding the child's time with each parent, given the imminent family report interviews and the upcoming hearing. The court also needed to consider whether to grant the mother leave to proceed with her application on the day of the hearing.

Bennett J granted the mother leave to proceed with her application for urgent parenting orders. The court made interim orders for the child to spend time with the mother from 19 June 2016 until the commencement of the family report interviews on 20 June 2016, and again from the conclusion of those interviews until 10.00 am on 22 June 2016. Specific changeover points were stipulated for these periods. The court also issued mutual injunctions restraining both parents from denigrating the other parent in the child's presence or discussing parenting arrangements with the child. The mother's application was adjourned to 22 June 2016 for an interim defended hearing. The father was ordered to file and serve any response and supporting evidence by 4.00 pm on 21 June 2016. The court noted that the father had no arrangements to take the child away from the Melbourne area during the forthcoming school holidays.