Reiner and Bedford

This matter concerned an application by the mother for orders regarding the child, X, born in 2008. The dispute involved the parents' parental responsibility, the child's primary place of residence, and the father's time with the child, including the mother's proposed relocation of X to Queensland. The case was heard by Judge McGuire.

The court was required to determine the extent to which the parents should have equal shared parental responsibility for X, whether X should live with the mother, and if so, whether the mother should be permitted to relocate X’s primary place of residence to Queensland. Furthermore, the court needed to establish a detailed schedule for the father's time with X, encompassing regular monthly contact, school holiday arrangements, and communication methods, considering the geographical distance between the parents.

Judge McGuire ordered the discharge of all extant orders concerning X. The court determined that the parents should have equal shared parental responsibility for X. Crucially, the orders stipulated that X would live with the mother and that she would be permitted to relocate X’s primary place of residence to Queensland. The court then set out specific provisions for X to spend time with and communicate with the father, including monthly weekends in Melbourne, significant portions of Queensland school holidays, and regular communication via Skype and telephone, with detailed arrangements for travel costs and notice periods.