Thomas and Grant

In the matter of *Thomas and Grant*, Bell J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the living arrangements and contact arrangements for two children, M and J. The dispute centred on the parental responsibilities and the nature and extent of contact the mother would have with the children.

The court was required to determine where the children would live, who would have sole parental responsibility for long-term major issues, and the specific terms of the children's time with the mother. Additionally, the court had to consider provisions regarding communication, the involvement of other children and individuals in contact, access to the children's school and medical practitioners, drug use by the parents, discussions about proceedings with the children, ongoing counselling, and the reporting of counselling progress. The court also considered the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer and the inclusion of a fact sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders.

Bell J ordered that the children live with the father and that the father have sole parental responsibility for long-term major issues. Contact between the children and the mother was to be supervised at a contact centre for a limited duration on alternate weekends, with shared costs and strict adherence to centre rules. The mother was permitted limited written communication through the children's counsellor and could bring her two younger children and Mr S to supervised contact on one occasion per month, subject to centre approval. The mother was prohibited from attending the children's school or seeing their medical practitioners but could obtain information by letter. Both parents were ordered not to use illicit drugs prior to or during the children's care, and neither parent was to discuss proceedings with or in the presence of the children. The father was to ensure the children continued counselling, and both parents were to abide by the counsellor's recommendations. The court also mandated monthly drug testing for the mother for six months and ordered the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer. The orders incorporated a fact sheet detailing obligations, consequences of contravention, and sources of assistance.