Can my child become a foreign national without my consent?

A couple of times a year we get an inquiry along these lines and we had one during this last week; so let’s try to answer the client’s question for you.

Below is the actual question:

 “I am a recently divorced mother and I want to permanently relocate to Australia with my minor child as I have obtained a wonderful work opportunity in Sydney; which will benefit both myself in the long term and my child eventually.

However, my ex, the father of my child, refuses to give his consent, despite the fact that the child resides permanently with me in terms of our divorce order.

The question is do I need his consent in writing or otherwise to take my son with me to Australia?”