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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 8 Hansard (25 August) . . Page.. 2364 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

A Bill on this matter has also been foreshadowed by the Attorney-General. I guess it is regrettable to some extent that there has been a crossing of wires by the Attorney and me. It is just that I had instructed Parliamentary Counsel some time ago on a matter that the Attorney has also decided to support. It is pleasing that there is bipartisan support on the need for legislation to make it unlawful to discriminate against a woman on the basis that she is breastfeeding a child.

I look forward to the Attorney's response to this particular Bill, having regard to his announced intention to legislate on the same subject. It may be that the Attorney would have approached the matter slightly differently than we have in our instructions. That is something that we would be pleased to negotiate with the Attorney on.

Mr Speaker, this Bill makes it unlawful to discriminate against a woman on the basis that she is breastfeeding a child. Breastfeeding is a natural part of life and is to be encouraged. As the Nursing Mothers Association slogan says, "Mothers' milk. Perfect anywhere. Anytime". This Bill will give effect to that slogan and ensure mothers' rights to feed their children, whether they are at home, at work or in some other public place, without fear of discrimination.

Nursing mothers are justifiably proud of their efforts when making the natural choice to breastfeed. In times past, no choice needed to be made. A mother gave birth and then breastfed the baby. In more recent times, mothers were led to believe there was choice between breast milk and prepared baby foods. Breastfeeding was not always encouraged. In fact, many people in the community objected to the sight of a mother feeding her baby in public. This latter attitude was unjust to the mother and the baby, as there are many advantages to both from breastfeeding.

For example, for the baby, breast milk contains all the nutrients that the baby needs for at least the first six months of life. In the first few days the baby receives colostrum, and later breast milk develops. Both contain antibodies that will help increase the baby's resistance to infection. Ensuring that the baby only has breast milk for at least six months may help lessen allergy problems. Breastfed babies have a higher resistance to disease and are less likely to become sick. Apart from the health benefits, this means fewer doctors' visits and less time in hospital. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding may lower the risk of developing diabetes and reduce the incidence of heart disease.

For the mother, breastfeeding is normally easy and convenient. Breastfed babies have instant, pre-warmed, ready-to-serve food available wherever the mother goes. Ongoing research is showing that breastfeeding may lessen the incidence of cancer of the breasts and ovaries, heart disease and osteoporosis in the mother. Breastfeeding delays the return to menstruation. Breastfeeding helps the body return to its pre-pregnant state more quickly. Many women also find they lose excess weight when breastfeeding.

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