WHYCLIFFE & RAVINSPOLE

This matter concerned parenting orders for a child, B, born in 2009, between the parents, Mr Whycliffe (the father) and Ms Ravinspole (the mother). The proceedings were before Forrest J.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, considering the welfare and best interests of B. This involved assessing the level of contact the father should have with the child, the conditions under which such contact should occur, and the extent of parental responsibility each parent should hold. The court also considered orders relating to the child's travel and the father's communication and proximity to the mother.

Forrest J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders reflecting a significant shift in parental responsibility and contact. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility and the child was ordered to live with her. The father's time with the child was to be limited to supervised contact on the last Sunday of every second calendar month, with the paternal grandmother supervising all such time. The court imposed strict conditions on the father regarding his conduct during transitions, his communication with the mother, and his proximity to the mother and the child's school. The father was also restrained from removing the child from the Commonwealth of Australia, and the child was restrained from leaving Australia except with the mother. The court also made provisions for the mother to travel overseas with the child and to obtain passport renewals without the father's consent.

The court ordered that the Independent Children's Lawyer be discharged. The Australian Federal Police were requested to place the child's name on the Family Law Watchlist until 11 July 2024. The paternal grandmother was to be provided with copies of various affidavits and the court's reasons for judgment and orders. The father was permitted to provide these documents to any counsellor or therapist he might engage in the future. Any future contravention applications were to be listed before Forrest J.