McWilliams and Keates

In McWilliams and Keates, the parties, the mother and the father, were before the court concerning parenting orders for their child, X. The specific nature of the dispute leading to the court's intervention is not detailed, but the orders made indicate a need for a comprehensive framework governing the child's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and communication between them.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting arrangements for X, considering the principles of equal shared parental responsibility and the child's best interests. This involved establishing a detailed schedule for X's time with each parent, including during school terms, holidays, and specific occasions, as well as outlining communication protocols and information sharing between the parents. The court also had to consider orders relating to the child's schooling, parental conduct, and the prohibition of certain substances.

Judge Wilson ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders and established equal shared parental responsibility for X. The child was ordered to live with the mother, with specific provisions for X to spend time and communicate with the father. These provisions included a detailed schedule for alternate weekends, mid-week time, school holidays, Christmas, Father's Day, Easter, and X's birthday, with specific arrangements for alternate years. The orders also mandated that changeovers occur at school or a designated location, and stipulated requirements for informing each other of illness, providing contact details, and facilitating school communication. Furthermore, both parents were permitted to attend school and extracurricular activities, and were restrained from denigrating the other parent or discussing the proceedings in X's presence. Neither parent was permitted to use illicit or non-prescribed drugs while X was in their care. All extant applications were dismissed.