Department of Family and Community Services v Veronica [2012] NSWChC 5

Children's Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Department of Family and Community Services v Veronica [2012] NSWChC 5 Hearing dates: 3 February 2012 Decision date: 22 February 2012 Jurisdiction: Care and protection Before: Magistrate Graham Blewitt AM Decision: Parental responsibility for contact allocated to Minister. All other aspects of parental responsibility allocated to maternal grandparents, except parental responsibility for Aboriginal identity and cultural awareness, which is allocated to the paternal grandmother. Catchwords: CHILDREN - child in need of care and protection - no realistic possibility of restoration - permanency planning - court to determine various aspects of parental responsibility including contact and Aboriginal identity and cultural awareness Legislation Cited: Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 Cases Cited: Re Sinead [2005] CLN 8 Young children [2004] CLN 9 In the matter of Anthony [2008] NSWLC 21 In the matter of Julian and Allen [2006] CLN 6 In the matter of Tom [2007] CLN 4 Category: Principal judgment Parties: The Director of Family and Community Services Kate Jones (mother) Chris Bell (father) Mary and Stuart Jones (maternal grandparents) Vera Bell (paternal grandmother) Representation: Mr Lawson on behalf of the Director of Family and Community Services Mr Clack on behalf of the mother Ms Corbin on behalf of the father Mr Robertson on behalf of the maternal grandparents Mr Pottenger on behalf of the paternal grandmother Ms Muggenthaler as independent legal representative for the child File Number(s): 68/2010 Publication restriction: Any information that names or is likely to lead to the identification of a child or young person who is reasonably likely to involved or mentioned in Children's Court or non-Court proceedings in any capacity must not be published or broadcast in any form that may be accessible by a person in New South Wales whether the publication or broadcast occurs before any proceedings have commenced, during the proceedings or after they are disposed of. This prohibition applies until the child or young person turns 25 years of age or dies.