Salido & Palmerton

This matter concerned an application by Ms Salido (the mother) against Mr Palmerton (the father) before Young J. The dispute involved arrangements for the parties' two children, X (born 2012) and Y (born 2016). The court noted that the mother's longer-term plans, including a potential return to Darwin with the children and the resumption of shared care, were unknown at the time of the order.

The court was required to determine issues relating to parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, communication between parents and children, interstate travel, travel costs, and notification requirements concerning the children's welfare and education. Specifically, the court needed to establish how decisions regarding the children's long-term care, welfare, and development would be made, and to set out the practical arrangements for the children to spend time with each parent, including relocation and travel.

In its determination, the court ordered that the mother and father have equal shared parental responsibility for the children, requiring them to consult with each other on significant decisions and to make a genuine effort to reach joint decisions. The mother was permitted to relocate the children to City B on 15 July 2021, and upon relocation, the children were to live with her. The court also detailed specific arrangements for the children to spend time with the father, including periods during school holidays and communication protocols. Further orders addressed interstate travel, including notice periods, itinerary provision, and restrictions on travel to hazardous locations, as well as the allocation of travel costs between the parents. The court also mandated notification of medical emergencies, changes in contact details, prescribed medications, and school enrolment information, and required both parties to complete a post-separation parenting program. The matter was adjourned for mention on 27 January 2022.