MORRISSEY & TRELOAR

The parties to this proceeding were the Applicant Mother and the Respondent Father, concerning parenting orders for their two children, X and Y. The dispute involved the children residing with the Father in Queensland while the Mother lived in New South Wales. The court was required to determine interim parenting orders, considering the best interests of the children, the concept of equal shared parental responsibility, and the appropriate venue for the proceedings.

The court was tasked with determining the interim living arrangements for the children, the extent of their time with each parent, and the practical arrangements for communication and travel between New South Wales and Queensland. A key issue was whether to transfer the proceedings to the Brisbane Registry, given the children's residence in Queensland. The court also had to consider the principle of equal shared parental responsibility in making its interim orders.

In its reasoning, the court applied the paramount consideration of the children's best interests. It made interim orders for equal shared parental responsibility, with the children to live with the Father. The Mother was granted specific periods of time with the children in Queensland, including travel arrangements to facilitate these visits. The court also ordered provisions for telephone and "face time" calls to maintain the mother-child relationship. Furthermore, the court ordered the transfer of the application to the Brisbane Registry, with the Mother granted leave to attend the next mention by telephone.