State Central Authority Secretary to the Department of Human Services and LeBeau

The State Central Authority, Secretary to the Department of Human Services, applied to the Family Court of Australia for the return of two children, B and C, to Greece pursuant to Regulation 16(1) of the Family Law Regulations. The application was opposed by the respondent mother, Ms Lebeau.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the children should be returned to Greece as requested by the State Central Authority. This involved considering the principles of international child abduction and the application of relevant international conventions and domestic regulations.

Berman J granted the application, ordering that the children be returned to Greece within 45 days. The Court further ordered that Ms Lebeau take all necessary steps to ensure the children's return and be restrained from removing them from Australia pending their departure. The Court also made orders concerning the Australian Federal Police's involvement in monitoring the children's departure and the handling of their passports, including provisions for their return to the mother upon confirmation of travel arrangements.