Thor and Dahler and Anor

In the matter of *Thor and Dahler*, Hogan J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting of two children, G and H. The dispute involved the father and mother of the children, with the court ultimately determining the future living arrangements and parental responsibilities for G and H.

The court was required to determine a range of issues relating to the children's welfare, including where they would live, who would have parental responsibility for significant long-term decisions, and the nature and extent of the children's time and communication with each parent. Further issues included the mother's proximity to the children's residence and schools, contact with a third party, the exchange of information between parents, and restrictions on the mother's communication and publication of information concerning the children and the proceedings. The court also addressed the children's travel, the father's ability to obtain passports, and conditions under which the mother could seek future parenting orders.

Hogan J ordered that the children live with the father and that he have sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues, including education, religious and cultural upbringing, health, names, and significant changes to living arrangements. The children were to spend time and communicate with the mother as agreed between the parents. The mother was significantly restrained from approaching the children's residence, schools, and extra-curricular venues, and from bringing the children into contact with a Mr P. The father was permitted to obtain passports for the children and to take them on holidays overseas with specific notice requirements to the mother. The mother was restrained from publishing information about the children and father on electronic media and social networking sites, and from removing the children from Australia. The court also imposed conditions on the mother's ability to commence future proceedings seeking parenting orders, requiring her to demonstrate compliance with psychiatric treatment.

The court appointed a Registrar of the Family Court of Australia to sign passport applications on behalf of the mother and to facilitate the removal of certain online content. The mother was granted liberty to provide specific reports and orders to her treating psychiatrist. Unless the mother could provide an affidavit from a treating psychiatrist confirming ongoing, compliant treatment for a minimum of twelve months, she was restrained from commencing proceedings seeking parenting orders without leave of the Court.