Standish and Lynch

This matter concerned parenting orders made by Benjamin J in relation to two children, B and C. The dispute involved the mother, Ms Lynch, and the father, Mr Standish, regarding the children's living arrangements and time spent with each parent.

The court was required to determine the terms of parenting orders that would best serve the interests of the children. This involved considering issues of parental responsibility, the children's primary residence, and the specific arrangements for the children to spend time with the father, including conditions and safeguards to ensure the children's welfare.

Benjamin J made orders vacating previous parenting orders and establishing equal shared parental responsibility. The children were ordered to live with the mother, with specific, detailed provisions for the children to spend time with the father. These provisions included conditions such as the paternal grandmother's presence during the father's time with the children for a period, restrictions on overnight stays for the father for an initial period, mandatory drug testing for the father, and consent orders for ongoing therapeutic counselling for the children, drug rehabilitation courses for both parents, and parenting after separation courses. The court also made orders restraining both parents from using illicit drugs while the children are in their care, from using physical discipline, and from denigrating the other parent in the children's presence. The Independent Children's Lawyer's appointment was extended for twelve months, and the court directed that copies of the orders and reasons be forwarded to the Tasmanian Child Safety Office.