Senator breastfeeds in Australian parliament – makes history

Senator breastfeeds in Australian parliament – makes history

Larissa Waters, an Australian senator, has become the first politician to breastfeed a baby in the parliament’s senate chamber.

Waters breastfed her few-weeks-old daughter, Alia Joy,  in the senate chamber during a vote on a Greens motion this week.

In a post on her Facebook page, she made it known that she was proud of breastfeeding her daughter inside the chamber.

“I am so proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal parliament,  and we need more family-friendly and flexible workplaces, and affordable childcare, for everyone,” Waters said.

Last year, Waters was actively involved in the formulation of a rule which allows new mothers and fathers to care for infants while on the parliament floor.

The 40-year-old has been a senator for Queensland since 2011. She is currently a co-deputy leader of the party, alongside Scott Ludlam.