VASARI & SULLIVAN

This matter concerned an application by the father, Vasari, and the mother, Sullivan, regarding parenting orders for their child, B. The court was required to determine the terms of these orders, specifically concerning the child's residence, the father's time with the child, and parental responsibility for significant long-term issues.

The central legal issues before the court were the appropriate arrangements for the child's residence and contact with the father, and the division of parental responsibility for major long-term decisions. The court also had to consider the extent to which the mother should retain sole parental responsibility while ensuring the father was kept informed of significant parenting matters.

Tree J made orders that the child, B, would live with the mother. The father was granted supervised contact at a children's contact centre for a minimum of two hours per month, with telephone contact every Sunday evening. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues, with specific exceptions. She was restrained from changing the child's religion or the names by which the child is known. The mother was also ordered to keep the father informed of significant parenting issues, including matters relating to the child's education, health, social development, sporting activities, and any changes to her domicile or telephone number. The orders also provided authority for schools and medical practitioners to provide information to both parents.