Rickard and Issa

This matter concerned an appeal from orders made by the Parramatta Federal Magistrates Court concerning parental responsibility and contact arrangements for a child. The appeal was heard by Judge Newbrun.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders regarding the child's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the nature and extent of the father's time with the child. Specific issues included whether the mother should have sole parental responsibility, the conditions attached to that responsibility, the arrangements for supervised contact, communication between the parents and the child, and provisions for the child's education and health.

Judge Newbrun discharged the previous orders and made new orders. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for the child, subject to specific notification requirements to the father regarding long-term decisions about the child's care, welfare, education, and medical treatment. The child was ordered to live with the mother. The father was granted supervised time with the child on up to six occasions per calendar year, with specific conditions regarding notice, venue, supervision, costs, and transportation. The father was also permitted telephone communication with the child each Wednesday. The orders also included provisions for parents to inform each other of contact details, to not denigrate each other in the child's presence, and to be informed of medical emergencies. Each parent was also granted direct access to the child's school and medical records. Finally, the mother was permitted to relocate with the child to a specified area after the child completed his school year in 2017.