Nayak

In the matter of *Nayak*, the applicant sought orders concerning parental responsibility for two children, E and N. The dispute centred on the division of decision-making powers between the parents, particularly in relation to medical treatment, international travel, education, superannuation, and public services. The case was heard by Cronin J.

The primary legal issue before the court was how to allocate sole parental responsibility for specific, defined matters to one parent, Mr R Nayak, while otherwise dismissing proceedings. This required the court to consider the scope and nature of parental responsibility and to determine which aspects of decision-making were appropriate to vest exclusively in one parent.

Cronin J reasoned that it was in the children's best interests to grant Mr Nayak sole parental responsibility for a discrete set of significant decisions. These included decisions regarding medical treatment, international travel, education, and matters pertaining to the children's entitlements from their deceased father's superannuation and student pensions. The court also granted Mr Nayak the right to access public services and benefits on behalf of the children. The court ordered that Mr Nayak have sole parental responsibility for these specified matters, and that all other proceedings be dismissed.