Tanner & Tanner

This matter concerned applications for interim parenting orders between a husband and wife, with the Honourable Justice Brown presiding. The dispute involved the parental responsibility for the parties' three children, E, S, and J, and the wife's time and communication with J and S. The court was also dealing with the reinstatement of previously dismissed applications for final parenting orders.

The court was required to determine the interim parenting arrangements for the children, specifically regarding parental responsibility for health and education, and the nature and supervision of the wife's contact with J and S. Further issues included the independent representation of the children's interests and the procedural steps for the adjourned hearing, including the filing of affidavits and the provision of proposed interim orders.

Justice Brown varied existing orders to grant the husband sole parental responsibility for the children's health and education, and suspended certain previous orders. The court established specific conditions for the wife's supervised time and telephone communication with J, contingent on her inpatient status and subsequent release from a clinic. The wife's contact with S was to be determined by S, with the husband to facilitate this. The maternal grandparents were granted reasonable telephone communication and supervised time with the children. The court also ordered the reinstatement of final parenting order applications and the independent legal representation of S and J, requesting Victoria Legal Aid to arrange this. The matter was adjourned for a further hearing, with directions for parties to advise of proposed interim orders and file further affidavits, including one from the wife's treating psychiatrist.