Taruk and Taruk

This matter concerned the father and mother of a child, B, born in 2009. The dispute revolved around parental responsibility and living arrangements for the child. The decision was made by Tree J.

The court was required to determine who should have sole parental responsibility for the child in relation to major long-term issues, where the child would live, and the nature and extent of time the child would spend with each parent. Further issues included how parents should communicate regarding the child's welfare and the circumstances under which information about the child's education and health should be shared. The court also considered restrictions on the mother regarding international travel with the child and the conduct of the parents towards each other in the child's presence.

Tree J ordered that the father have sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues concerning the child, subject to a requirement to consult with the mother in writing before making such decisions and to consider her response. The child was ordered to live with the father. The mother was granted unsupervised time with the child as agreed in writing, and specific provisions were made for telephone and video calls on Sundays and special occasions. The court also imposed orders restraining both parents from abusing or denigrating each other in the child's presence and requiring them to keep each other informed of significant matters concerning the child's health, education, and living arrangements. The mother was restrained from removing the child from Australia.