The Tasmanian Parliament is about to become more family friendly under changes to allow MPs to breastfeed in the chamber.

The state’s first female Speaker, Elise Archer, will amend standing orders to enable new mothers to nurse their babies in Parliament.

“In a situation where a nursing mother might still be breastfeeding and the child is asleep, they’re not going to cause a disruption to the House so they will be allowed to come in,” she said.

“It will go further, in the sense that it’s not just for a division.

“There may be a situation where the baby is not causing a disruption to the House and the member may be a shadow minister, or a spokesperson on a role, and may wish to make a contribution.

Under parliamentary rules babies, or others not normally on the floor of Parliament, are termed “strangers”.

“Ultimately it’s important that the Speaker maintains the control of the House, but this will mean that an infant child is not a stranger in the House and therefore ordered to leave automatically,” Ms Archer said.

Ms Archer said members might find it unusual at first, but would soon adjust.

“We might have a few reactions from a few members in a positive way, but I imagine after a few times, if the member wishes to take this up, that the reaction will lessen over time.”

Expectant MP ‘thankful’

Labor MP Rebecca White, who is about to have her first baby, was approached by the Speaker who initiated the changes.

“Had Elise not been the Speaker, perhaps we wouldn’t be in a position today where we can discuss how to contemporise the Parliament.

“I feel incredibly thankful to be part of a parliament that’s progressive enough to recognise that women should be able to continue to perform functions of their role as a parliamentarian after they’ve had a child.

“It’s nice to know the flexibility is there.”

Last month, a similar move in the West Australian Parliament was rejected by Liberal Premier Colin Barnett.

Premier Will Hodgman welcomed the change and said Tasmania was going further than any other state to support female parliamentarians.

The Liberal Party recently announced a target of 50 per cent female representation in State Parliament and Mr Hodgman said the change should encourage more women to consider a career in politics.

Speaker Elise Archer agreed.

“We do have an issue with women, and particularly younger women, putting their hand up for politics,” she said.

“And if we can make the situation a lot easier for female members who are still of a younger age and wish to have children, then they can have comfort in the knowledge we have the most modern rules that can possibly apply.”

The change will also automatically entitle MPs to 12 weeks of maternity leave.

Similar changes were introduced into the Federal Parliament in February.

-ABC