Senator Larissa Waters breastfeeds while moving a motion
Last month, Greens Senator Larissa Waters became the first woman to breastfeed inside Federal Parliament.
Yesterday, the senator was breastfeeding her 14-week-old daughter, Alia Joy, while passing a motion in the Senate in Canberra.
“I am so proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the Federal Parliament,” Senator Waters said in May.
“We need more women and parents in Parliament. And we need more family-friendly and flexible workplaces, and affordable childcare, for everyone.”
Last year, parliamentary rules were changed to allow mothers to breastfeed while in chamber.
Previously, children were banned in chamber and mothers were given a proxy vote if they went outside to feed their babies.
The policy was changed after a controversial incident involving Liberal MP Kelly O’Dwyer who was asked to express more breastmilk, rather than miss her duties due to leaving the chamber to breastfeed.
The Victorian MP was initially furious when the request was made.
It is believed that the request came after Ms O’Dwyer missed a division and a speaking engagement in parliament due to breastfeeding.