OLGUN & NEILSON & THORNBURN

In the matter of *Olgun & Neilson & Thornburn*, heard by Hannam J, the dispute concerned whether the applicant, who had previously cared for the subject children, was a person entitled to make an application for parenting orders under section 65C of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The core of the disagreement revolved around the interpretation of "a person concerned with the care, welfare or development" of the children.

The primary legal issue before the Court was to determine if the applicant's past involvement in the children's care qualified them as a person with a sufficient interest to bring proceedings for parenting orders under the Act. This required an examination of the scope and meaning of section 65C.

Hannam J reasoned that the phrase "a person concerned with the care, welfare or development" should be interpreted broadly. His Honour found that the applicant's history of having had the care of the children established a sufficient connection to their welfare and development to satisfy the requirements of section 65C. Consequently, the Court found that the applicant was indeed a person concerned with the care, welfare and development of the subject children. The Court also made orders requesting the Director-General of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services to intervene in the proceedings and granted leave for the Director-General to inspect and copy court documents.