Polland and Haberger (No 3)

In *Polland and Haberger (No 3)*, Justice Cronin of the Family Court of Australia considered parenting orders concerning two children, T and K. The proceedings involved disputes between the husband and wife regarding the children's upbringing and living arrangements.

The central legal issues before the court were the determination of the children's primary residence, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the nature and extent of the wife's future contact with the children. The court was also required to consider the role and discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer and the costs associated with the proceedings.

Justice Cronin reasoned that the existing parenting orders were no longer appropriate and made new orders reflecting the best interests of the children. The court found it necessary to discharge all extant parenting orders and vest sole parental responsibility for T and K in the husband, with the children to live with him. The wife was granted limited time with the children on alternate Sundays, subject to specific conditions including advance confirmation via text message and changeovers at a police station. The court also permitted telephone contact for the wife and discharged the Independent Children's Lawyer.

The court ordered that all extant parenting orders be discharged and that the husband have sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with him. The wife was granted specific, conditional time with the children and liberty to communicate by telephone. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and costs were reserved in certain circumstances. The husband's costs were fixed, and the wife was ordered to pay a cancellation fee. All other proceedings were dismissed.