ROWE & HIGGINS

This matter concerned an application before Judge Small in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, where the primary dispute revolved around the mother's alleged contravention of existing parenting orders. The court was required to determine whether the mother had, without reasonable excuse, contravened specific orders made by the Federal Circuit Court on 29 April 2015, as amended on 17 August 2015, on 3 October 2015 and 10 October 2015.

The court was tasked with assessing the mother's conduct in relation to these orders and determining if a contravention had occurred and if it was without reasonable excuse. Furthermore, the court needed to consider the implications of any contravention, particularly in light of section 70NJ of the *Family Law Act 1975*, which addresses serious disregard of obligations under the Act. The court also had to make consequential orders regarding the children's living arrangements, the father's time with the children, and various directions for future assessments and programs.

Judge Small declared that the mother had contravened Order 9(c) of the Federal Circuit Court's orders on 3 October 2015 and 10 October 2015 without reasonable excuse. The court found that the mother's behaviour showed a serious disregard of her obligations under the *Family Law Act 1975*. Consequently, the court ordered the mother to enter into a bond for six months, requiring her to be of good behaviour, obey all extant orders, and attend all further court dates. The matter was adjourned for directions, and interim orders were made regarding the children's residence with the mother, the father's time with the children, and specific changeover arrangements. The mother was also directed to attend an assessment with Dr M, complete a parenting program, and bear the costs of the assessment report.