PETERS & ANDERS

In the matter of PETERS & ANDERS, Johns J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting arrangements for the child B. The dispute involved the mother and father and their respective roles in the child's life following separation.

The court was required to determine the specific arrangements for the child's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, communication between parents and child, and parental conduct. This included establishing a framework for equal shared parental responsibility, defining the child's primary residence, and detailing the schedule for time spent with the father, including during school terms, holidays, and special occasions. The court also addressed communication protocols, handover procedures, and restrictions on parental behaviour in the child's presence.

Johns J ordered that the mother and father have equal shared responsibility for the child, with the child to live with the mother. The court then set out a detailed schedule for the child's time with the father, progressively increasing the duration of overnight stays. Further orders stipulated arrangements for the child's time with each parent on their birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, and Father's Day. The court also mandated regular telephone communication between the child and the non-resident parent, with specific responsibilities placed on the parent spending time with the child to facilitate these calls. Additionally, the orders imposed restrictions on parental conduct, including prohibitions on excessive alcohol consumption, illicit substance use, denigrating the other parent, and discussing proceedings in the child's presence. Communication between parents was to be restricted to email or text regarding the child, and they were required to keep each other informed of contact details and any medical consultations concerning the child. The mother was also ordered to undertake therapy with a psychologist.