Mullens and Mullens and Ors

This case involved an application concerning the living arrangements and parental responsibility for three children, F, G, and J. The proceedings were before Tree J in a court exercising family law jurisdiction. The primary dispute revolved around the future care and upbringing of the children, with various family members seeking orders regarding their residence and decision-making authority.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate living arrangements for the children, considering their best interests. This included deciding with whom each child would live, who would have responsibility for making major long-term decisions concerning their education, health, and upbringing, and the extent of contact and communication between the children and their parents and other family members. The court also had to consider the implications of the father's drug use and the need for appropriate support and programs.

Tree J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new arrangements. Children F and G were ordered to live with their father, Mr C, and paternal grandmother, Ms H. The father was granted sole responsibility for major long-term decisions for these children, with a requirement to consult the mother in writing before making such decisions. The children were to spend time with their maternal grandmother and mother as agreed. For child J, the court ordered that she live with her maternal great aunt, Ms D Mullins, and her partner, Mr K, who were granted sole responsibility for major long-term decisions. However, the mother and father were to be responsible for the child's day-to-day care when she was living with them, and the maternal great aunt when she was living with her. The court also mandated that the father, Mr C, attend counselling for his drug use and a parenting program. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and all other extant applications were dismissed. The parties agreed to promote contact and communication between all three children.