Strahan & Strahan & Anor; (No. 3)

In the matter of *Strahan & Strahan & Anor (No. 3)*, Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia considered applications and made orders concerning financial proceedings between a husband and wife, and importantly, the indebtedness of the husband to the Australian Taxation Office. The Commissioner of Taxation sought and was granted leave to intervene in the proceedings.

The court was required to determine the appropriate management of the financial proceedings in light of the husband's significant indebtedness to the Australian Taxation Office, and to establish a framework for the Commissioner's participation and access to relevant documents. Further issues included the vacation of previously set trial and case management dates, the husband's obligations to resolve the tax indebtedness, and the wife's obligations regarding final orders sought in relation to the parties' child.

Dawe J ordered the vacation of the trial and case management dates, directing the husband to take all necessary steps to promptly resolve his indebtedness to the Australian Taxation Office and to provide monthly updates to the wife's solicitors regarding communications and documents related to this matter. The Commissioner of Taxation was granted leave to intervene, with specific variations to the rules regarding document service, requiring only current applications for final and interim orders, and current financial statements to be provided to the Commissioner. The wife's solicitor was ordered to provide copies of outstanding orders and Notices of Appeal to the Commissioner's solicitors. The Independent Children's Lawyer was exempted from compliance with directions concerning the financial matters involving the husband, wife, and the Australian Taxation Office. The wife was also directed to file and serve an affidavit annexing the final orders sought concerning the child, with a warning that non-compliance could lead to the dismissal of all proceedings relating to the child and the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer. The matter was adjourned for mention.