Prantage & Prantage

In *Prantage & Prantage*, heard before Cronin J, the dispute concerned interim orders relating to the children of the marriage, M and D. The court was required to determine the terms of these orders, particularly concerning the children's living arrangements, communication with the husband, and the involvement of professionals.

The court's reasoning focused on establishing a framework for the children's welfare and safety pending further orders. Key legal issues included determining which parent would have responsibility for major long-term decisions regarding the children's health and education, and establishing the children's primary residence. The court also addressed the complex issue of the children's time with, and communication with, the husband, as well as the husband's communication with the children.

Cronin J ordered that the wife have responsibility for major long-term decisions concerning the children's health and education, provided she notify the husband in writing. The children were ordered to live with the wife, and save for specific exceptions, were to spend no time nor communicate with the husband. The husband was restrained from communicating with the children through various electronic means. The wife was permitted to remove the children from their schools until the commencement of Term 3 2011. The court also made detailed provisions for the children to attend upon a professional, Dr NZ, with equal cost sharing and specific directions regarding contact between the father and children. Further orders included provisions for the exchange of cards and presents through Dr NZ, liberty for the Independent Children's Lawyer to distribute the order, and a request for a family consultant to explain the orders to the children. The court also ordered that the father ensure any children who contacted him or attended his or his parents' home were immediately returned to the mother. Finally, both parties were restrained from removing the children from Australia, with a request for their names to be placed on the Airport Watch List.