Main & Quinn

In this matter before Dessau J, the court was asked to determine parenting orders concerning a son born in August 1995. The dispute involved the father and mother of the child, and the court was required to make orders regarding his residence, time spent with each parent, and parental responsibility.

The legal issues before the court included how parental responsibility should be shared, with whom the child should live, and the specific arrangements for the child to spend time with the parent with whom he did not reside. The court also had to consider provisions for school holidays, birthdays, and other significant dates, as well as the practicalities of changeovers between parents. Further issues involved the child's secondary education, restrictions on parental conduct towards the child and regarding court proceedings, and the exchange of information between parents concerning the child's welfare and education.

Dessau J ordered that existing orders be discharged and that the father and mother share parental responsibility. The child was ordered to live with the father, with detailed provisions outlining the time the child would spend with the mother, including specific days, holidays, and special occasions. The court also stipulated that changeovers were to occur at the child's school, with specific arrangements for alternative locations if the school was closed. The mother was directed to ensure the child attended all sport training and games when in her care. The court further ordered that the child attend C College for his secondary education, subject to acceptance. Both parents were restrained from denigrating the other to or within the hearing of the child, and from discussing court proceedings with the child. They were also ordered to keep each other informed of their addresses, contact details, and any medical events concerning the child, and to obtain school reports and attend school occasions. The Independent Children's Lawyer was to arrange for Mr L to explain the orders and reasons to the child, with the costs of Mr L's services to be borne equally by the parents, with Victoria Legal Aid requested to meet the mother's share. The court also included a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders.