State Central Authority and Uurainen

The applicant, the State Central Authority, sought orders against the respondent, Ms Uurainen, concerning a child born in December 2003. The dispute involved preventing the child's removal from Australia and Victoria, and ensuring the child's welfare. The matter came before Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine whether to grant interim orders restraining the respondent from removing the child from Australia or Victoria, or changing the child's place of residence without the applicant's consent. Further issues included the delivery of the child's passports, the respondent's ability to apply for new passports, and the facilitation of welfare investigations by officers of the Department of Human Services. The court also considered the placement of the child's name on an Airport Watch List.

Cronin J granted the applicant leave to proceed without notice to the respondent and made extensive interim orders. These orders restrained the respondent from removing the child from Australia or Victoria, or changing the child's residence without consent. The respondent was also ordered to deliver up any passports held for the child and was restrained from applying for new ones. The court further permitted officers of the Department of Human Services to visit and access the child for welfare investigations and requested the Australian Federal Police to place the child on the Airport Watch List. The matter was adjourned for further directions and an expedited hearing, with the respondent and child ordered to attend court.