Patton and Barnes (No 2)

In *Patton and Barnes (No 2)*, the mother sought the discharge of previous final orders that provided for the father to spend supervised time with the children. The proceedings before Burr J involved serious allegations of physical abuse against the father, who had failed to participate in the court process. The court was satisfied that the father was aware of the proceedings.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the existing orders for supervised time should be discharged, and what new orders, if any, were in the best interests of the children. This required the court to consider the impact of the serious allegations and the father's non-participation on the children's welfare.

Burr J reasoned that in light of the serious allegations of physical abuse and the father's failure to engage with the proceedings, it was not in the children's best interests for the supervised time orders to continue. The court applied the paramount principle that the best interests of the children are the primary consideration in all parenting matters. Consequently, the court discharged the previous orders.

The court ordered that the children live with the mother and that she have sole parental responsibility for them. Further orders were made requiring the mother to continue engaging with Families SA and any other recommended services. Both parties were also restrained from physically disciplining the children or permitting others to do so. All other applications were dismissed.