MENDALL & CALPIN

In this matter before Rees J, the court considered parenting orders concerning two children, X and Y. The dispute arose between the mother and father, both of whom had a history of substance abuse and had not provided full and frank disclosure regarding this history. The mother had been drug-free for approximately ten months at the time of the proceedings.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children, specifically whether it was in their best interests to live with the father, and to establish appropriate parenting arrangements that acknowledged the loving relationship the children shared with both parents. Key issues included the level of parental responsibility to be allocated, the specific time the children would spend with each parent, and the implementation of measures to ensure the children's safety and well-being, particularly in light of the parents' past substance abuse.

Rees J applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), focusing on the best interests of the children. The court ordered equal shared parental responsibility, reflecting the children's loving relationship with both parents. However, the children were ordered to live with the father, with specific provisions for the mother to spend time with them on alternate weekends and during school holidays. To address the history of substance abuse and ensure the children's safety, the court mandated supervised time with the mother for a period of one year, ongoing drug testing for the mother for three years, and therapy for the mother for two years. The court also made detailed orders regarding communication between parents, travel, and the sharing of information about the children's health and education.