POTTER & ROSS

In the matter of *Potter & Ross*, Hogan J of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between a mother and father concerning the living arrangements and parental responsibilities for their child, Y. The parties had a protracted history of parenting proceedings, with previous final orders made by consent in 2008 and 2013. Both parents alleged that the child was at an unacceptable risk of harm in the other's care, and the father had previously retained the child contrary to operative orders.

The court was required to determine with whom the child, Y, would live, spend time, and communicate, and to make final parenting orders. This involved assessing the risks each parent posed to the child and determining the most appropriate arrangements for Y's welfare and best interests, particularly in light of the history of conflict and the father's past actions.

Hogan J discharged all previous parenting orders and made final orders that the child, Y, live with the mother. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues concerning Y's education, religious and cultural upbringing, and health. While the mother is to consult with the father in writing regarding these decisions, providing him with 14 days to respond and considering his views, the ultimate decision rests with her. The child is to spend time and communicate with the father on an agreed basis, or failing agreement, on a supervised basis for a minimum of two hours every fortnight. The court also made detailed orders regarding communication between the parents, the cost of supervised contact, and prohibitions against denigrating each other or discussing the proceedings with the child.