Southwell and Sargent

In the matter of *Southwell and Sargent*, Dawe J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered a dispute between the mother, Ms Southwell, and the father, Mr Sargent, concerning property settlement and the proposed international travel of their child. The proceedings involved applications relating to financial matters and the removal of the child from Australia.

The court was required to determine whether to permit the mother to take the child to Greece for a specified period and to address interim financial matters between the parties. Additionally, the court needed to consider the discharge of any existing Airport Watch List or orders that might prevent the child's removal from Australia.

Dawe J ordered that the father provide the mother with $5,000 as partial property settlement. The court also discharged any Airport Watch List or orders preventing the mother from removing the child from Australia. Crucially, Ms Southwell was permitted to travel with the child to Greece between 18 June 2016 and 30 July 2016, on the condition that she returned to Australia in Darwin by 1 August 2016. Interim financial matters were referred to the Registrar for a mention in early August 2016.