Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

In the last parliament, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing reported on an inquiry into the health benefits of breastfeeding. One of the recommendations was that the President of the Senate and I take the appropriate measures to enable the formal accreditation, by the Australian Breastfeeding Association, of Parliament House as a breastfeeding-friendly workplace. I am pleased to inform the House that the parliamentary departments have been successful in attaining accreditation as breastfeeding-friendly workplaces. They will receive certificates from representatives of the Breastfeeding Association at a morning tea in Parliament House on 17 October.

In attaining accreditation, the parliamentary departments have put in place policies demonstrating a commitment to breastfeeding and have also made available suitable facilities. Two small rooms in Parliament House—one in the Senate wing and the other in the House of Representatives wing—are available for mothers to breastfeed their babies or express milk at work. The Press Gallery and other licensees in Parliament House will be advised that Press Gallery members and staff may also use the rooms. The rooms are also available for use by the staff of members and senators.

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