Maurer and Stilinski

In the matter of *Maurer and Stilinski*, heard before Judge Harland, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for the parties' two children, born in 2007 and 2009. The court was required to determine various aspects of the children's welfare and best interests, including their living arrangements and the mother's time with them.

The central legal issues before the court involved the preparation of an updated family report to inform the court's decision-making. This report was to address the children's views, consider information from various subpoenaed documents, and examine matters stipulated under sections 60CC, 61DA, and 65DAA of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The court also considered the process for the family consultant's involvement, including their access to documents and potential attendance for cross-examination.

Judge Harland ordered that the mother, father, and children attend upon a family consultant for an updated family report. The report was to specifically address the children's views, information from police and health departments, and relevant legislative considerations for the children's best interests. The court also made orders regarding the children living with the father until further order, and for the mother to spend time with the children at a supervised contact centre. Further directions were given concerning the provision of documents to the family consultant and the potential release of the family report to external agencies, subject to objection and statutory limitations on publication.