WALDRON & DAINES

The case of *Waldron & Daines* concerned an application for interim parenting orders. The father, who had been charged, convicted, and incarcerated for the assault of a child in his care while employed as a healthcare worker, sought orders for contact with his child. The mother opposed these orders, raising concerns about the risk of harm to the child.

The primary legal issues before Altobelli J were whether there was a risk of harm to the child arising from the father's past conduct, the weight to be given to the child's views in the determination of interim orders, and ultimately, what orders would be in the best interests of the child.

Altobelli J considered the father's conviction for assault of a child in his care, noting the serious nature of the offence and the father's role as a healthcare worker at the time. The court weighed the potential risk of harm to the child against the child's expressed views. The paramount consideration was the best interests of the child, which required a careful assessment of all relevant factors, including the father's past behaviour and the potential impact on the child's safety and well-being.

The court made orders that were considered to be in the best interests of the child, reflecting the assessment of risk and the weight given to the child's views.