Taber and Taber

In the matter of *Taber and Taber*, Judge Jones considered an application to vary existing consent orders concerning the parenting arrangements for a child, [X], born in 2001. The original orders, made by consent on 22 December 2010, were sought to be discharged and replaced with new arrangements.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the child, [X], in light of the proposed changes to living arrangements, parental responsibility, and the father's time with the child. Specifically, the court had to consider the mother's application to relocate with the child to [L], Victoria, and to be granted sole parental responsibility for all major long-term issues concerning the child. The court also had to establish new communication and time arrangements between the father and the child, as well as address provisions for the child's health, education, and the parties' participation in therapy and counselling.

Judge Jones discharged specific paragraphs of the previous consent orders and made new orders reflecting a significant shift in the parenting arrangements. The child was ordered to live with the mother, who was permitted to relocate with the child to [L], Victoria. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for all major long-term issues concerning the child. The father's time with the child was detailed, including specific arrangements for school terms and holidays, and liberal communication via electronic means was also ordered. Further orders mandated the parties to attend family therapy and individual counselling, and the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, save for costs. The court also included particulars of obligations and consequences of contravention pursuant to section 65DA(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).