Telford and Telford (No 3)

Harper J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting of children Y and Z. The dispute involved the mother and father of the children, with the court tasked with determining the future parenting arrangements and the specific orders to govern the children's lives.

The court was required to determine the living arrangements for the children, the extent of parental responsibility each parent would hold, and the specific times the children would spend with each parent. This included detailed provisions for school terms, school holidays, religious festivals, and other special occasions. The court also needed to address communication protocols between the parents, arrangements for changeovers, and specific restraints on parental behaviour, including prohibitions on physical discipline and denigration of the other parent. Furthermore, the court considered provisions for interstate and international travel, as well as measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harper J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders that the children live with the mother and that she have sole parental responsibility. The father was granted specific time with the children, contingent on him obtaining suitable accommodation. The orders established a detailed schedule for the children's time with the father, including alternating weekends and specific periods during school holidays and religious festivals. The court also imposed significant restraints on both parents, prohibiting physical discipline and denigration of the other parent in the children's presence. Provisions were made for communication, medical information sharing, and travel, including a request to place the children on the Family Law Watchlist to prevent international travel without agreement. The court also outlined a dispute resolution process and a timeframe for any applications for costs.