Wills and Morris

Watts J made orders concerning the parental responsibility and time arrangements for a child, B, born in 2013, in proceedings between the child's mother and father. The dispute centred on the practical arrangements for B's living arrangements and time spent with each parent.

The court was required to determine the specific orders regarding equal shared parental responsibility, the child's primary residence, and the schedule for the child spending time with each parent. This included establishing a framework for weekday and weekend time, school holidays, and special occasions such as birthdays, Father's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas. The court also needed to address the process for international travel with the child and the consequences of contravening the orders.

In making its determination, the court applied principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), including sections 65DA(2) and 62B, to establish orders for equal shared parental responsibility and the child's living arrangements. The court detailed a specific two-weekly cycle for the child to spend time with his father, which was to be adjusted upon the child turning four. Provisions were also made for the division of school holidays and specific arrangements for significant annual events. The court mandated that the parents negotiate in good faith regarding international travel requests and outlined the consequences of contravening the orders, referencing a Fact Sheet for further particulars.

The orders made were declared to be pending further order, with specific arrangements for the child's time with each parent, including collection and redelivery responsibilities. The court also granted the mother liberty to restore the matter on 14 days' notice if agreement on overseas travel could not be reached after genuine attempts.