MCARDLE & GLAETZNER

In *McArdle & Glaetzner*, Hogan J of the Family Court of Australia determined parenting orders concerning the child B. The dispute centred on the living arrangements for the child, the allocation of parental responsibility for major long-term issues, and the nature and extent of the father's contact with the child. The mother sought orders that the child live with her, that she have sole parental responsibility for significant decisions, and that the father have no time with the child.

The court was required to determine whether it was in the child's best interests for the child to live with the mother and for the mother to hold sole parental responsibility for all major long-term issues, including education, religious and cultural upbringing, and health. Furthermore, the court had to consider whether it was appropriate for the father to spend no time with the child and whether the mother should be permitted to remove the child from Australia for holiday travel. The court also considered the need for a mechanism to facilitate the child's passport and citizenship applications.

Hogan J ordered that the child B live with the mother and that the mother have sole parental responsibility for all major long-term issues, as defined by the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The father was ordered to spend no time with the child. The mother was granted liberty to remove the child from the Commonwealth of Australia for holiday travel. To facilitate the child's travel and citizenship applications, a Registrar of the Family Court was appointed to sign any necessary documents in lieu of the father. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.