RENDALL & RENDALL

In the matter of Rendall & Rendall, the court considered a dispute between the parents concerning the time the four children of the marriage would spend with each parent. The father had been convicted of assaulting one of the children, and the children had given evidence in those proceedings. The father had initially alleged the children lied in their evidence, but later admitted he had lied. The children were embroiled in the parents' dispute.

The court was required to determine with whom the children would spend time, and whether a relationship with the father would be beneficial to them, considering the concept of a "meaningful relationship". Additionally, the court had to determine the extent of parental responsibility to be allocated to each parent for long-term decisions concerning the children.

Cronin J reasoned that given the father's conviction for assault and his admission of lying about the children's evidence, it was not in the children's best interests to spend time with the father. The court applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) concerning the best interests of the child, prioritising their safety and well-being. The court determined that the mother should have sole parental responsibility for long-term decisions and that the children should live with her.

The court ordered that the children live with the mother and that the father have no time with the children unless otherwise agreed. Communication between the father and children was restricted to letters and gifts provided through the mother, with specific provisions for the mother to manage the content and delivery of these communications. The father was to be informed of significant health or address changes for the children, and the mother was permitted to inform the school principal of the orders.