Mulhern and Bowden

This matter concerned parenting orders for two children, X and Y, born in 2009 and 2010 respectively. The dispute was before Judge Hartnett.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting arrangements for the children, considering their best interests. This involved deciding on issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the nature and extent of the children's time spent with each parent, as well as communication and information sharing. The court also had to consider orders to prevent denigration and harassment between the parents.

Judge Hartnett reasoned that the father should have sole parental responsibility for the children, and that the children should live with him. The court outlined specific arrangements for the children to spend time with and communicate with the mother, including during school holidays and via electronic means. The orders also included provisions for the parties to keep each other informed of contact details and significant medical issues, and imposed restraints on denigrating the other parent or using offensive language in the children's presence.

The court discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders reflecting these arrangements. It further stipulated that should the mother relocate to Adelaide, future time spent with the children would be subject to agreement, with mediation required before commencing further legal proceedings.