Michaelson and Gainer

In *Michaelson and Gainer*, heard by McClelland DCJ, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child, X. The mother, Ms Michaelson, sought to proceed with the matter on an undefended basis, indicating the father, Mr Gainer, was not actively participating in the proceedings.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine the appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, X, in circumstances where the father was not represented or actively contesting the mother's application. This required the court to consider whether to grant leave for the matter to proceed undefended and, if so, what orders should be made regarding parental responsibility, living arrangements, and contact.

McClelland DCJ granted leave for the matter to proceed on an undefended basis. The court then discharged all previous parenting orders. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for the child, and it was ordered that the child live with the mother. The court noted undertakings from the mother to facilitate reasonable time with the father, subject to the child's wishes, and to allow electronic contact, with any in-person contact to occur in the country of the mother's residence.