{UAH} Australian senator breastfeeds baby while moving a motion in parliament

Australian senator breastfeeds baby while moving a motion in parliament

22 June 2017 • 9:27am

An MP in Australia has addressed Parliament while breastfeeding her baby, admitting that she moved a motion only moments before her daughter "moved her own motion".

In a first for the nation, Larissa Waters, a Greens MP, addressed the chamber – she was speaking about black lung disease, a condition affecting coal miners - while feeding her baby, a 14-week-old  named Alia Joy.

The three-month-old previously made history in May after she became the first baby to be breastfed in Australia's Parliament and has become a regular attendee at Australia's Senate, or Upper House.

The MP's decision to speak while feeding appeared to be warmly welcomed and was greeted with smiles in the chamber.

Australian Senator Larissa Waters of the Greens Party carries her daughter Alia Joy during debate in the Australian Senate on school funding at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia June 21 Credit: REUTERS

After delivering her address, Ms Waters said in a tweet: "First time I've had to move a Senate motion while breastfeeding! And my partner in crime moved her own motion just before mine, bless her."

In 2009, Sarah Hanson-Young, a Greens MP, was forced to remove her two-year-old child from the chamber – an incident she described as "humiliating".

The two-year-old girl could subsequently be heard bawling from just outside the chamber doors.

In 2015, Kelly O'Dwyer, a Liberal MP and cabinet minister, was told by the government whip to express more milk to ensure she did not miss votes in Parliament.

Australian Greens party Sen. Larissa Waters breastfeeds her baby Alia Joy during a session in the Senate Chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, May 9 Credit:  Mick Tsikas/AAP

But the Parliament last year changed its rules to allow mothers to breastfeed in the chamber.

Previously, mothers had to leave the chamber to breastfeed and were required to seek a proxy for any votes.

The Senate – at Ms Waters' urging – has also changed its rules  to ensure mothers or fathers can enter the Senate to briefly assist with the care of children.

"I am so proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the Federal Parliament," Ms 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."

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