Bravo Greens Senator Larissa Waters who breastfed her beautiful baby in the Australian Senate today.
In her first appearance in the chamber since the birth of her second child, Waters brought her baby into the chamber during a vote on a Greens policy motion.
Here’s how she announced the symbolic moment on Twitter:
And it will pave the way for more women in leadership.
Why?
Because it normalises one of the most natural acts.
We would be just as happy to see the baby being fed by bottle because it shows other women there is no “right” way to do anything as mothers.
We all do our best.
Former Victorian MP Kirstie Marshall was ejected from State Parliament when she attempted to feed her 11-day-old baby.
She was asked to leave because Parliamentary rules did not permit “strangers in the house.”
Parliamentary rules were changed in 2016 to allow mothers to feed their children in the chamber. Breastfeeding mothers were previously given a proxy vote.
in 2015, Kelly O’Dwyer was asked if she had considered expressing more to avoid missing her duties in parliament.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young was also forced to remove her then toddler during a division.
Well done Larissa Waters and thanks for being the first. #BeBoldForChange