Sanchez and Huerta Veloz

In the matter of Sanchez and Huerta Veloz, Collier J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made orders concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for four children. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children, J, S, L, and N, following the breakdown of the parents' relationship.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate orders for the children's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the nature and extent of the father's contact with the children. The court also considered the role of a contact centre in facilitating supervised or facilitated contact, and the communication arrangements between the father and the children.

Collier J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for all four children, and that the children live with her. Existing orders were discharged. The father's contact with the children was to occur at a contact centre, with the father responsible for all associated fees. The father was also granted telephone communication with the children each Wednesday evening, with specific directions for the mother to facilitate this contact. The court also made orders regarding the release of a memorandum to counsellors and the relisting of the matter.