WAINDER & WAINDER

The case of *Wainder & Wainder* concerned parenting orders made by Austin J in the Family Court of Australia. The dispute involved the mother and father of a child, B, born in October 2007, regarding the arrangements for the child's living arrangements and parental responsibility.

The court was required to determine the terms of parenting orders that would best serve the child's interests, specifically addressing issues of equal shared parental responsibility, the child's primary residence, and the time the child would spend with each parent. The court also considered provisions for communication between the parents and the child, the exchange of information regarding the child's health and education, and measures to prevent denigration of either parent.

Austin J made orders establishing equal shared parental responsibility for the child. The child was ordered to live with the father for specified periods, with a phased transition to a more shared living arrangement over time. The child was to live with the mother at all other times. The orders also included detailed provisions for holiday arrangements, communication protocols, the exchange of health and educational information, and a requirement for both parents to attend a post-separation parenting program. The court also made orders restraining the use of terms like "Mum" and "Dad" for anyone other than the biological parents and included a fact sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders. All outstanding applications were dismissed.