WARREN & INGRAM

This matter concerned parenting orders between the father and mother of three children, B, C, and D. The court was required to determine the arrangements for the children's residence, time spent with each parent, and other related matters, including communication, school attendance, and parental conduct.

The primary legal issues before the court were to establish sole parental responsibility for the father, determine the children's primary residence with the father, and set out specific arrangements for the children to spend time with the mother during school holidays and weekends. The court also had to address provisions for parental communication with the children, attendance at school and extracurricular events, and restrictions on parental behaviour, including alcohol consumption and derogatory remarks. Further issues included the exchange of school reports and information, and the notification of medical emergencies.

Hannam J made orders granting the father sole parental responsibility and establishing the children's residence with him. The court detailed specific periods for the children to spend time with the mother during Queensland school holidays, including Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Christmas holidays, with varying durations and commencement/conclusion times. Provisions were also made for weekend time during school terms, with specific changeover arrangements outlined for both holiday and term-time periods. The orders also permitted both parents to attend all school and extracurricular events, and to communicate with the children. Crucially, the court restrained both parents from allowing the children contact with specific individuals, Mr H and Mr J, and imposed restrictions on excessive alcohol consumption by either parent while the children were in their care. The court also mandated that schools provide reports and information directly to the mother and required both parents to keep each other informed of their contact details. All outstanding applications and cross-applications were dismissed.