Merritt and Holdsworth

The case of *Merritt and Holdsworth* concerned parenting orders made by Cronin J. The dispute involved the mother and father of a child born in 2011, regarding the arrangements for the child's care and parental responsibility.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent would have for major long-term issues concerning the child's education and health, and to establish a schedule for the child's time with each parent. Additionally, the court needed to address communication protocols between the parents, information sharing regarding the child's welfare, and specific conditions related to the father's care of the child, including restrictions on alcohol consumption and requirements for drug and alcohol counselling.

Cronin J discharged all extant parenting orders and made new orders. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues of education and health, subject to specific notification and consultation requirements with the father. Save for these specific issues, the parents were to have equal shared parental responsibility. The child was ordered to live with the mother, with a detailed schedule for the child to spend time with the father, including provisions for weekends, holidays, and communication. The court also imposed an injunction restraining the father from consuming alcohol during periods of care and for 48 hours prior, and ordered him to engage a drug and alcohol counsellor, providing details and authorisations to the mother and the Independent Children's Lawyer. The appointment of the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.