Tulley and Lindmann-Tulley

This matter came before Justice Murphy of the Family Court of Australia concerning parenting orders for a child born in June 1997. The dispute involved the living arrangements and time spent between the child and each parent, as well as the supervision and reporting requirements of a Family Consultant.

The court was required to determine the specific parenting arrangements for the child, including the child's residence, the schedule for time spent with the mother, and the conditions surrounding communication and changeovers. Additionally, the court needed to establish the framework for the ongoing supervision by a Family Consultant, including the frequency and timing of her interactions with the child and the content of her future reports. The court also considered the publication of certain documents and the potential for the mother to seek counselling assistance.

Justice Murphy made detailed orders regarding the child's living arrangements, stipulating that the child would live with the father. The orders outlined a phased approach for the child spending time with the mother over three distinct periods, with varying levels of contact and communication permitted. The court also ordered that compliance with these parenting orders continue to be supervised by Ms B, a Family Consultant, who was directed to speak with the child on three occasions during the specified periods and to prepare a further report for the court. The court further approved the publication of specific reports and judgments to certain individuals, including the mother's potential therapist and the Director of the Contact Centre, subject to specific authorisations.