McLory and McLory

In the matter of McLory and McLory, Carew J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning parenting arrangements for the child V. The dispute involved the mother and father and their respective roles in the child's life.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders, including issues of parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements, and the extent of time the child would spend with each parent. The orders also addressed the need for therapeutic intervention for both parents and the child, and the communication protocols between the parents.

Carew J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders that vested sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues with the mother, requiring her to inform the father in writing of any decisions made. The child was ordered to live with the mother. Crucially, the orders mandated that both parents attend therapy to address their respective behaviours and to facilitate the child's re-introduction to the father. The court also ordered the engagement of a child psychologist to assist in this process, with detailed provisions for the child spending time with the father, commencing with supervised contact and gradually increasing over several months. Injunctions were also issued restraining the mother from leaving the child alone with a specific individual and from questioning the child about her time with the father.