Ongal and Materns (No 3)

In this matter before Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia, the court considered multiple applications for contravention orders. The mother's first application alleged two counts of contravention by the father, which he admitted and for which he was found to have no reasonable excuse. The mother's second application alleged two counts of contravention by the father, which had been dismissed at an earlier hearing. The father's application alleged four counts of contravention by the mother, all of which she admitted but for which she was found to have a reasonable excuse.

The primary legal issues before the court were to determine what orders should be made arising from the findings of contravention, specifically considering the application of Subdivision E or Subdivision F of Division 13A of Part VII of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), and what orders to make under s 70NEB of the Act. The court also considered the best interests of the children pursuant to s 70NBA of the Act.

The court reasoned that given the father's admitted contraventions for which he had no reasonable excuse, it was appropriate to make orders requiring him to enter into a bond under s 70NEC of the Act. The father was ordered to enter into a two-year bond with a $1,000 security, conditional upon his good behaviour and compliance with all current and future parenting orders. The mother's second contravention application was dismissed, as was the father's contravention application, with no orders made in relation to those matters. The court also made and continued various parenting orders concerning the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, handovers, communication between parents, and other related matters, all of which were made in the best interests of the children. Furthermore, the court imposed restrictions on the parties filing further applications without leave.