SEIDEL & DIXSON

In the matter of *Seidel & Dixson*, Hannam J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parental responsibility, residence, and contact arrangements for two children, X and Y, and also addressed the children's names and international travel. The dispute involved the mother, Ms Dixson, and the father, Mr Seidel.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for the children's upbringing, including who would have sole parental responsibility, where they would live, and whether any contact with the father was appropriate. Additionally, the court considered the children's surnames and the mother's authority to apply for passports for them, including international travel.

Hannam J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children, that they live with her, and that they spend no time with the father. Pursuant to section 68B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), Mr Seidel was restrained from being within 200 metres of the children and the mother, and from contacting them in any manner, including through third parties. These protective orders were made for the personal protection of the children and the mother, with provisions for arrest without warrant by police in the event of a breach, as authorised by section 68C of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The court also ordered that the children, Y and X, be henceforth known as Y Dixson and X Dixson respectively, and authorised the mother to apply to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in New South Wales to register these name changes, as permitted by section 28(5) of the *Births Deaths and Marriages Act 1995* (NSW). Finally, the children were permitted to travel internationally without the father's consent, with the mother being the sole person with parental responsibility for passport applications.