Olson and Carter

In the matter of *Olson and Carter*, Cronin J considered parenting orders concerning two children, J and M, born in July 2004. The dispute involved the allocation of parental responsibility and the nature and extent of the father's time with the children.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting arrangements for J and M, specifically addressing issues of parental responsibility, the children's residence, and the father's contact with them. This included deciding on the division of decision-making power regarding major long-term issues and day-to-day matters, as well as the specific arrangements for the father's time with the children.

Cronin J ordered that all existing parenting orders be discharged and that the mother have sole parental responsibility for both children. The mother was granted sole residence, with the father's time with J limited to four hours on the second Sunday of each month, to occur at a contact centre, with the father bearing the costs of this arrangement. For major long-term issues concerning schooling and health, the mother is required to consult with the father, providing him with seven days to offer his views before making a final decision, though this does not apply in emergencies. The mother is to keep the father informed of day-to-day concerns regarding the children's schooling and health, and is authorised to permit schools and health professionals to discuss the children's well-being with the father. The father is permitted to attend appointments and events as a parent would normally, subject to the views of school principals and health professionals. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged from the proceedings.