STAKER & MERRETT

This matter concerned an application by the mother for orders regarding the time the children would spend with her, and related travel and identification provisions. The dispute arose between the mother and the father concerning the arrangements for their three children. The decision was made by Judge Newbrun.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders concerning the children's time with the mother, specifically in relation to school holiday periods. Further issues included the location for changeovers between parents, the father's ability to travel with the children interstate and overseas, and the process for obtaining identification or passport documents for the children.

Judge Newbrun ordered that the children spend additional time with the mother during the first week of the Christmas school holiday vacations, with further agreed time also permissible. Changeovers were to occur at the father's home. The father was permitted to travel with the children interstate and overseas, provided he gave the mother 28 days' written notice including travel details. The court also ordered that the father could apply for and obtain identification or passport documents for the children without the mother's consent. Any proposed travel dates that coincided with the children's time with the mother would result in the suspension of contact on those specific days.