VIPOND & DARTE

In the matter of *Vipond & Darte*, heard by Cleary J, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, B and C. The court was required to determine the future parenting arrangements for the children, including issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the extent of contact between the children and their mother. Additionally, the court considered applications relating to the children's ability to travel internationally.

The court's reasoning focused on the best interests of the children, a paramount consideration in family law matters. Cleary J discharged all prior parenting orders and made new orders reflecting a significant shift in the children's living arrangements and parental responsibility. The court determined that the father should have sole parental responsibility and that the children should live with him. Crucially, the court ordered that the children should spend no time with the mother.

In light of these arrangements, the court also made orders permitting the children to have Australian travel documents and to travel to New Zealand, with the father having the ability to apply for these documents. The father was permitted to travel with the children to New Zealand during school holidays, subject to providing the mother with advance notice of travel dates. The Independent Children’s Lawyer was directed to provide a copy of the orders to the children's school principal.