Molina and Lawrence

This matter concerned parenting orders for three children, X, Y, and Z, and involved the parties, the Mother and Mr Lawrence, and Mr Dent. The dispute centred on the living arrangements and time spent with the children. The proceedings were before Judge Altobelli.

The court was required to determine the interim living arrangements for the children, pending a final hearing. It also needed to consider the intervention of the Director General of the Department of Family and Community Services and the preparation of a Family Report to inform future decisions regarding the children's welfare.

The court made several interim orders regarding the children's residence, with X to live with the Mother and Y and Z to live with Mr Dent. It also ordered that the children spend time with each other and the parents as agreed, or as determined by the Court. The Director General was requested to intervene in the proceedings, and the Independent Children’s Lawyer was directed to forward relevant documents to the Director General. Furthermore, the court ordered the parties and the children to attend upon a Family Consultant for the preparation of a Family Report, focusing on various factors relevant to the children's best interests under the *Family Law Act 1975*, including their developmental and emotional state, relationships with parents, and proposed future living environments. The court specifically requested that the Family Report be allocated to a consultant with an understanding of Indigenous issues.