Rimmington and Healey

This matter concerned orders made by Judicial Registrar Johnston in proceedings between the father, Mr Rimmington, and the mother, Ms Healey, regarding their two children, A and B. The dispute centred on arrangements for the children's time with the father, including specific schedules for contact, changeover locations, and provisions for communication and information sharing between the parents. The orders also addressed the father's involvement in decisions concerning the children's education and medical care, and imposed restrictions on both parents regarding communication and the removal of the children from Australia.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of the parenting orders, including the frequency and duration of the children's time with the father, the locations and methods for changeovers, and the communication protocols between the parents. Further issues included the father's financial contribution towards accommodation for contact in Sydney, the requirement for a specific adult to accompany the father during contact, and the mother's obligations to facilitate electronic communication and information sharing. The court also had to consider restraining orders against the father concerning communication with the mother and against both parents regarding the removal of the children from Australia, including placing the children on a watchlist.

Judicial Registrar Johnston made detailed orders vacating previous orders and establishing a phased schedule for the children to spend time with the father, commencing from November 2009 and progressively increasing the duration and frequency of contact. The orders stipulated changeover locations, with provisions for contact in Sydney and a contribution from the father towards accommodation. Crucially, the orders mandated that neither parent be directly involved in changeovers and required the father to be accompanied by a named paternal relative or an agreed adult. The court also ordered the mother to facilitate electronic communication between the children and the father and to consult with the father on various matters concerning the children's education, medical care, and religious upbringing, while also advising him of their residential details. The father was restrained from approaching or communicating with the mother except in limited circumstances regarding the children, and both parents were restrained from removing the children from Australia, with the Australian Federal Police directed to place the children on a watchlist.