Concerns regarding a woman’s right to breastfeed in public have emerged following an incident where a mother was asked to vacate a Virgin lounge while expressing breast milk. Dr Elise Turner, who highlighted the situation on social media, expressed her disbelief at the occurrence, emphasising that such actions are not only unreasonable but also illegal under Australian law.
In Australia, breastfeeding in public spaces is protected under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, which prohibits any discrimination against women for breastfeeding or expressing milk in public. This includes restrictions such as being told to stop, to cover up, or to leave. Failing to adhere to this law may result in significant penalties, with fines for individuals reaching up to $8,250, and up to $33,000 for organisations.
The legal framework surrounding breastfeeding is robust, protecting the rights of mothers across all Australian states and territories. To clarify, here are key points regarding the legality of breastfeeding in public:
-
Legal Status: It is entirely legal for women to breastfeed in public, and the Sex Discrimination Act explicitly safeguards this right.
-
Discrimination: Any attempts to hinder a mother from breastfeeding, such as requests to stop or relocate to less public areas like a bathroom, are considered discrimination and thus illegal.
- Public Spaces: The legal protection applies universally to all public places, including cafes, public transport, parks, and shopping centres. No one can lawfully request a woman to leave a public area for breastfeeding.
These laws affirm that breastfeeding is a normal and acceptable act, reinforcing the need for societal support and awareness regarding the rights of nursing mothers. The incident at the Virgin lounge serves as a reminder that while legislation exists to protect these rights, community attitudes and responses must also evolve to ensure a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.