Vong and Ngo

In the matter of Vong and Ngo, heard before Judge Burchardt, the dispute concerned parental responsibility and living arrangements for two children, [X] born in 2008 and [Y] born in 2010. The mother sought sole parental responsibility and for the children to live with her, with the father's time to be reserved. The father's contact with the children had ceased after only a few visits to a contact centre, which subsequently cancelled the arrangements.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate orders regarding parental responsibility, the children's residence, and the extent and nature of the father's contact with the children. A significant factor in the court's determination was the father's apparent psychiatric condition, including paranoid beliefs and a lack of insight, which raised concerns about his potential for violent behaviour and the risk he posed to the mother and children. The court also considered the father's need for specialised psychiatric treatment.

The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with her. The father was to be informed of major decisions regarding the children's health and education, and receive progress reports four times a year. The father was permitted to send cards and presents to the children, with the mother responsible for their delivery and for ensuring they met specified criteria. The father was also ordered to attend psychiatric treatment, follow all directions from his treating psychiatrist, including any prescribed medication. The father was restrained from attending post offices related to the postal box arrangements and from approaching the mother while she collected communications.

The court noted that particulars of the obligations and consequences of contravening these orders were set out in an attachment to the orders, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the *Family Law Act 1975*.