State Central Authority and Munro

The applicant, the State Central Authority, sought orders against the respondent mother concerning the child D. The dispute involved the potential international and interstate removal of the child, and the court was asked to make orders to prevent such removal and ensure the child's location and safety. The matter came before Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to grant the applicant leave to proceed ex parte, and if so, what interim protective orders should be made to prevent the child's removal from Australia and Victoria, and to secure the child's passport. The court was also required to determine the terms of service of the application and orders on the respondent mother and to set a date for further hearing.

Cronin J granted the applicant leave to proceed ex parte, indicating that the urgency and nature of the application justified proceeding without the respondent mother's immediate presence or consent. The court then made significant interim orders, including injunctions restraining the respondent mother from removing the child from Australia or Victoria, or from changing the child's residence without the applicant's agreement. The court also directed the Australian Federal Police to place the child's name on the Airport Watch List and ordered the respondent mother to deliver up any passports held for the child, restraining her from applying for new ones. These orders were to remain in effect until further order of the Court.

The court adjourned the application for further hearing on 7 May 2014, requiring the respondent mother to file and serve an affidavit in response, a Notice for Address for Service, and to attend Court personally on that date, provided she had been served with the application and the interim orders. Sealed copies of the orders were to be provided to relevant authorities, including the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.