Tolbert and Tolbert

In the matter of *Tolbert and Tolbert*, heard by Watts J, the dispute concerned the parental responsibility for the immunisation of three children. The father sought sole parental responsibility for decisions regarding the children's immunisation in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Guidelines and Recommendations.

The central legal issue before the court was whether to grant the father sole parental responsibility for the children's immunisation. This required the court to consider the best interests of the children in the context of differing parental views on vaccination.

Watts J reasoned that it was in the children's best interests to have a clear decision-maker regarding their immunisation. The court ordered that the father have sole parental responsibility for the children's immunisation, subject to a 14-day suspension period following service of the orders. This suspension period allows the mother an opportunity to relist the matter if she wishes to further challenge this specific order. The court also noted an existing application for final orders granting the father sole parental responsibility for all medical treatment for the children.