Radhar and Ej-Mahmat

In the matter of *Radhar and Ej-Mahmat*, Justice Austin of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute concerning parental responsibility and living arrangements for a child born in July 2003. The proceedings involved the child's mother and father, with the court ultimately making orders regarding the child's welfare.

The central legal issues before the court were the determination of sole parental responsibility for the child, the child's primary residence, and the implications of the father's non-participation in the proceedings. The court also had to consider the interaction between its orders and an existing Apprehended Violence Order.

Justice Austin reasoned that due to the father's failure to participate in the proceedings and provide relevant evidence, the court could not make specific orders regarding the child's time with the father or the manner of their communication. Consequently, the mother was granted sole parental responsibility and the child was ordered to live with her. The court also noted an informal arrangement for the child to spend time with the father on Saturdays, which was consistent with the existing Apprehended Violence Order. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and outstanding applications were dismissed.