Walton and Walton

The case of *Walton and Walton* concerned parenting orders for two children, B and C. The dispute involved the mother and father, and the court was required to determine the living arrangements, time spent with each parent, communication, schooling, and specific issues relating to the children's welfare and the parents' conduct.

The court was tasked with determining the primary residence of the children, the time the children would spend with the father, and the nature of communication between the father and children. Further issues included arrangements for schooling, the potential for therapeutic intervention for the children, and the imposition of restraints on both parents concerning alcohol consumption and denigration of each other. The court also had to consider specific provisions for medical care and the notification of changes in circumstances.

The court's reasoning, as reflected in the orders, indicated significant concerns regarding the parents' alcohol consumption and its impact on the children, as well as the father's history of family violence. Consequently, the orders discharged prior parenting arrangements and established a new residence for the children with the mother, with specific provisions for time with the father, including supervised contact at the paternal grandparents' home. Restraints were placed on both parents regarding alcohol, with the mother required to install and use an alcohol monitoring system. Both parents were also restrained from denigrating each other and were directed to follow the advice of their respective medical and psychological practitioners concerning their issues.

The final orders discharged all prior parenting orders and stipulated that the children would live with the mother. Specific arrangements were made for the children to spend time with the father, including communication by telephone. The orders also included detailed provisions regarding schooling, therapy, alcohol monitoring for the mother, and mutual notification of medical and personal information. The Independent Children's Lawyer was directed to provide copies of the orders and reasons to the Department of Family and Community Services.