REX & GOSKIN

In the matter of *REX & GOSKIN*, Berman J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting of two children, B and C. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children's care and upbringing, culminating in the court's determination of sole parental responsibility and living arrangements.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine the most appropriate parenting orders for the children, considering their welfare and development. This involved assessing the existing parenting arrangements and deciding whether to discharge them in favour of new orders. The court was also required to consider the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer and the future management of the case.

Berman J reasoned that the welfare and best interests of the children necessitated a significant shift in their living arrangements and parental responsibility. The court discharged all previous parenting orders and made orders for the mother to have sole parental responsibility for major long-term decisions concerning the children's care, welfare, and development. Crucially, the children were ordered to live with the mother and spend no time with the father. The court also discharged the order for the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer.

The court's final orders discharged all previous parenting orders and vested sole parental responsibility for the children, B and C, with the mother. The children were ordered to live with the mother and have no contact with the father. The order appointing an Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and the proceedings were removed from the active pending list. The court also annexed a document detailing the obligations, consequences of contravention, and support services related to the new parenting orders, pursuant to sections 62B and 65DA(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).