OFFICIAL advice to Liberal MP Kelly O’Dwyer to express more breastmilk for her newborn baby so she can keep up with duties in Parliament is provoking outrage.
The Member for Higgins, who is predicted to rise to new heights under new Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull, was reportedly furious at being asked to consider expressing more milk rather than breastfeeding her daughter Olivia after returning to Parliament last month.
Fairfax reports the request came from the office of the government’s Chief Whip Scott Buchholz, who was unaware that rules allow new mothers who are breastfeeding to be given a proxy vote in Parliament if they are unable to attend in person.
It’s understood Mr Buchholz had to get advice from his Labor counterpart on how to handle the issue.
Baby Olivia was born in May. According to Labor’s health spokeswoman Catherine King, the rule allowing breastfeeding mothers a proxy vote was introduced seven years ago.
Ms O’Dwyer may be promoted under Mr Turnbull who has indicated he would like more women in cabinet.
She and the Chief Whip are reported to have since resolved the breastfeeding dispute and neither have publicly commented on it.
Baby Olivia.
