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A Victorian baby has been named by a tribunal, after her parents could not agree on whose surname she should take.

The separated parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, agreed on the child’s first and middle names, but each wanted the child to have their surname only.

To settle the dispute, the Victorian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages used its discretion in May to give the girl her surname, using a hyphenated version comprising both parents’ surnames.

Unhappy, the parents challenged the decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The mother said her relationship with the father was brief and long distance, ending early in her pregnancy.

VCAT senior member Ian Proctor said the fact the child is living with the mother, with few visits from the father, is the most relevant factor in the case.

He ruled it was in the girl’s best interest to take her mother’s name. Read more on 7 news here. 

Earlier this year a list of banned baby names has been revealed by the Victorian state government. Take a look HERE.

Recently we shared the story of  a French couple who were reported to authorities after trying to register their new babies name choice. Discover why HERE.

We previously asked our MoM’s what nicknames they gave their little jellybeans before they officially met. Some of them are very cute, while some are just plain WRONG, check them out HERE.

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  • Poor kid, surely the parents could grow up and not waste tribunals time.

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  • Who would like their baby named by a tribunal ? Can’t imagine that you let it come this far ! Sounds like not the best relationship.

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  • I am wondering if the parents are “together” or not. I know of a case where the baby’s has the Mum’s surname as the Dad has no interest or contact with the child at all. He pays child support because he has to by law, which he tried to cheat on and got caught. it ended up costing him that it would have been if he had been honest (or nearer to it than he stated).

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  • I can’t believe such a case has had to be ruled by a tribunal – obviously neither parent are mature enough to make the decision, makes me wonder what other decisions regarding the child’s upbringing will be deemed to hard to make by the mother and/or father …..

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  • Can’t change bubs parents so why not have both parents surnames? They both made the baby. But I guess if mum is the main carer, maybe she should have more of a say

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  • So, it appears that the first decision as an arbitrary tribunal decision makes sense. Then, when it comes to examining the minuté of the care arrangements the common sense answer prevailed. It’s just a pity it has to go that far to be resolved and I wonder, at what cost?

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  • I was quite happy that my son got my husband’s surname. I hate my maiden name.

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  • How can it be so hard to choose a surname. A first name yes, but a surname?

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  • They should come to an agreement before this all happen.

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  • that is really pathetic. imagine the struggle they will have over everything while this got grows up.

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  • Sad that it got to a tribunal. Doesn’t bode well.

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  • Why not give both surnames? My daughter has a double surname. The first one of my husband, the second one mine.

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  • These parents should grow up and think about what’s best for their child. Even when a third party mediated they still weren’t able to accept the decision.

    Reply

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