SRINATH & SRINATH

In the matter of SRINATH & SRINATH, Foster J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered an application to discharge existing parenting orders and make new orders concerning the children X and Y. The dispute involved the parents' respective responsibilities and the children's residence, including a proposed relocation of the children's home to Country E.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent should have, where the children should live, and whether the mother should be permitted to relocate the children to Country E. Further issues included the arrangements for the father's time with the children, both within Australia and potentially in Country E, and the means of communication between the father and the children. The court also needed to address the ongoing communication and welfare obligations of each parent.

Foster J ordered the discharge of the previous parenting orders and established equal shared parental responsibility for both parents. The children were ordered to live with the mother, who was permitted to relocate them to Country E. Specific arrangements were made for the father's time with the children, including annual visits to Sydney and provisions for time with the father in Country E, subject to the children's schooling and activities. The court also mandated regular electronic communication between the father and the children and required both parents to inform each other of significant welfare matters and to refrain from denigrating the other parent.