MCKINNEY & CHANDLER

The parties, McKinney and Chandler, were involved in a dispute concerning interim parenting orders. The primary issue before Altobelli J of the Family Court of Australia was whether to continue suspending time between the father and the child, given concerns raised about the father's mental health.

The court was required to determine whether there was sufficient evidence of risk to the child's welfare to justify the continuation of suspended time. This involved assessing the nature and severity of the mental health concerns, their potential impact on the father's capacity to care for the child, and the adequacy of any proposed safeguards or management plans.

Altobelli J considered the evidence presented regarding the father's mental health, including any reports or assessments. The judge applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), particularly those relating to the paramountcy of the child's best interests and the need to protect children from harm. The court weighed the potential risks to the child against the benefits of maintaining a relationship with the father, considering the father's current capacity and any mitigating factors. The decision to continue or lift the suspension of time would depend on the court's assessment of whether the child's safety and well-being were adequately protected.