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Bans on public breastfeeding to be illegal Robins, Brian . Sydney Morning Herald ; Sydney, N.S.W. [Sydney, N.S.W]24 Sep 2007: 7.

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ABSTRACT IT WILL be illegal to discriminate against women breastfeeding in public places, such as on trains and buses and in

restaurants, as well as in the workplace, under legislation to be introduced by the State Government this week.

FULL TEXT IT WILL be illegal to discriminate against women breastfeeding in public places, such as on trains and buses and in

restaurants, as well as in the workplace, under legislation to be introduced by the State Government this week.

The Premier, Morris Iemma, said he was concerned that some mothers, especially those returning to work, were

stopping breastfeeding for fear of discrimination.

"Unfortunately, there are still some people who retain unsympathetic attitudes towards breastfeeding in public,

including in the workplace," Mr Iemma said.

"These new laws will provide breastfeeding mothers with the full protection of the law, ensuring that children in

NSW are given the best possible start in life."

Women are regularly asked to leave public premises - restaurants, for example - if they are breastfeeding, women's

organisations say.

"Breastfeeding in public is already covered under sex discrimination legislation, but the new legislation will make it

more explicit," says Dr Karleen Gribble, of the University of Western Sydney's school of nursing.

"People should know that when they discriminate in this way, they may face legal action. Half of all babies in

Australia are weaned by six months: that is too early."

This could lead to health problems, she said. Breastfed babies may have a lower risk of cot death, show a

decreased likelihood of developing allergies, and have a lower risk of developing diabetes or becoming obese. They

are also sick less often, reducing costs to families and communities in terms of medical bills and parents' lost time

at work.

The legislation will be introduced this week as Parliament resumes from the winter break tomorrow.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association said it had approached state governments about strengthening

legislation to prevent discrimination against breastfeeding mothers.

"It's allowing women to breastfeed in the workplace. It is giving them legislative protection," said the association's

Corinna Paget. "It's basically wanted by mothers to feed in public, and not face discrimination when they do so."

The legislation follows an earlier Australian Law Reform Commission report which argued that anti-discrimination

legislation was needed to specifically address issues associated with breastfeeding.

The legislation may help encourage women to continue breastfeeding in the workplace, although the issues

involved here are necessarily more complex. For example, breastfeeding may centre on the mother having the

flexibility to take additional breaks to feed the infant, or having access to adequate facilities when feeding their

baby.

Under the Anti-Discrimination (Breastfeeding) Bill 2007, women who believe they have been discriminated against

can complain to the Anti-Discrimination Board, which will investigate the complaint and try to resolve the issue

through conciliation.

If that fails, the complaint can proceed to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal, where further remedies are

available.

Other legislation to be introduced in the new session of parliament aims to take steps to standardise daylight

saving hours in NSW, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia, reduce car dealers' paperwork, and provide tax

incentives for venture capitalists.

DETAILS

Publication title: Sydney Morning Herald; Sydney, N.S.W.

Pages: 7

Number of pages: 0

Publication year: 2007

Publication date: Sep 24, 2007

Section: News And Features

Publisher: Fairfax Digital

Place of publication: Sydney, N.S.W.

Country of publication: Australia, Sydney, N.S.W.

Publication subject: General Interest Periodicals--Australia

Source type: Newspapers

Language of publication: English

Document type: NEWSPAPER

ProQuest document ID: 364163641

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Last updated: 2017-11-01

Database: ProQuest Central