STATE CENTRAL AUTHORITY & STEVENS

The case of *State Central Authority & Stevens* involved an application before Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia. The applicant sought orders concerning a child, B, born in 2012, in circumstances that appear to relate to international child abduction under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and the Hague Convention. The application was made ex parte, indicating that the respondent mother had not yet been served or was not present at the initial hearing.

The primary legal issues before the Court were whether to grant leave for the applicant to proceed ex parte, and consequently, what interim protective orders should be made concerning the child B. These orders sought to prevent the child's removal from Australia and Victoria, to restrict changes to the child's residence, and to secure any passports held for the child. The Court was also asked to direct law enforcement agencies to assist in enforcing these orders.

Cronin J granted leave for the applicant to proceed ex parte, acknowledging the urgency and the nature of the application. The Court then made a series of interim orders designed to safeguard the child's welfare and prevent potential abduction. These included restraining the respondent mother from removing the child from Australia or Victoria, or from changing the child's residence without consent. The Court also directed the Australian Federal Police to place the child on the Airport Watch List and to enforce the removal orders. Furthermore, the respondent mother was ordered to deliver up any passports for the child and was restrained from applying for new ones. The application was adjourned for further hearing, with directions for service of the application and orders on the respondent mother.