Resnik and Nervi

In the matter of *Resnik and Nervi*, heard by Judge Burchardt, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for three children. The court was required to determine the future care, welfare, and development of the children, including issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the nature and extent of contact between the children and their father.

The court's reasoning focused on establishing orders that would best serve the children's interests, particularly in light of the circumstances leading to the proceedings. The orders reflect a determination that the mother should have sole parental responsibility, with specific provisions for the father's ongoing involvement. This includes requirements for the mother to keep the father informed about the children's long-term care, welfare, and development, and for the parties to engage in shuttle mediation annually.

The final orders discharged previous parenting arrangements and vested sole parental responsibility with the mother, with the children to live with her. The father's time with the children was significantly restricted to supervised monthly contact, along with communication via cards and gifts, which are to be screened by the mother. The orders also address medical and educational engagement, communication protocols between the parents, and mutual restraints against denigrating the other parent or discussing the proceedings in the children's presence. Crucially, the court declared that to the extent any of these orders conflict with an extant Family Violence Intervention Order, the Family Violence Intervention Order is invalid only to the extent of the conflict. The mother was authorised to apply for and receive Australian passports for the children and to travel internationally with them without the father's consent.