Rungta and Rungta

This case involved parenting orders concerning two children, B and C. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children's living situation, parental responsibility, and time spent with the father, particularly in light of allegations of sexual abuse. The matter was heard by Forrest J.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children in making parenting orders. This involved considering the paramountcy of the children's welfare, the impact of any allegations of sexual abuse, and the appropriate allocation of parental responsibility and time with each parent. The court also had to apply the civil standard of proof, as informed by the *Briginshaw* test, when considering the sexual abuse allegations.

Forrest J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders. The children were to live with the mother, who was granted sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues, with the exception of decisions regarding the children's names and changes to living arrangements that would significantly impede time with the father, for which they shared equal responsibility. The father's time with the children was to be supervised, limited to two hours per fortnight at a specific contact centre, with provisions for the inclusion of his partner or family from India, subject to approval. The father was ordered to pay the costs of the contact centre and any alternative centre if the arrangements were moved. The court also noted the statutory requirement to consider the children's best interests as paramount, referencing sections 60CA and 60CC of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), and the application of the *Briginshaw* standard of proof for serious allegations.