Weeramantry and Bendik

In the matter of *Weeramantry and Bendik*, Benjamin J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for three children. The dispute involved the mother and father and their respective roles in the children's upbringing and daily lives.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children in relation to their living arrangements, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the time the children would spend with each parent. Key issues included the children's relocation to Country M with the mother, the extent of the father's future contact, and the communication protocols between the parents regarding the children. The court also addressed the return of the children's passports and the financial aspects related to the children's travel.

Benjamin J ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged. The parents were granted equal shared parental responsibility, with the children to live with the mother. The mother was permitted to reside with the children in Country M, but any relocation outside of Australia without the father's consent or a court order was prohibited. The court outlined specific periods for the children to spend time with the father, with the mother bearing the costs of travel to Australia for these periods, and the father covering his own travel expenses for additional time spent in Country M. The orders also included provisions for regular electronic communication between the children and the father, and imposed restrictions on the parents regarding disparaging remarks about each other in the children's presence, discussing proceedings with the children, and the use of physical chastisement. The court also directed the return of a sum of money held in trust and included a fact sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders.