Starr and Ewer

This matter concerned parenting orders sought by the mother against the father for their three children. The court noted that the father had indicated he would not participate further in the proceedings, and all attempts to contact him by telephone had failed, despite him having attended a previous hearing by telephone and being aware of the current hearing date.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders, including the allocation of parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, and the terms of the father's time with and communication with the children. Additionally, the court needed to consider provisions for dispute resolution, travel, and conduct of the parties in relation to the children.

Applying principles of child welfare, the court made orders granting the mother sole parental responsibility and determining that the children would live with her. The orders also stipulated detailed provisions for the father's time with and communication with the children, including financial responsibility for transportation and specific requirements for telephone contact. Further orders addressed handover arrangements, the father's participation in parenting and anger management courses, and mutual injunctions restraining criticism of each other, undermining relationships with the children, and substance abuse while the children are in their care. The court also mandated a dispute resolution process for any future disagreements and imposed restrictions on removing the children from Queensland.