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Parliament becoming more family-friendly

Originally published: 15 November 2017
Last updated: 15 November 2017

15 November 2017

Babies have been coming to work with members of Parliament for almost 50 years.

Woman with baby Enlarge image

MP Whetu Tirakatene-Sullivan with her baby in 1970.

Source: Neale McMillan

Former Labour MP for Southern Māori, Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, an MP for 29 years, was the longest- serving woman in the history of New Zealand Parliament. She was also the first woman to give birth while an MP, says historian John Martin in his book The House, New Zealand’s House of Representatives 1854-2004.

“Determined this would cause as little disruption as possible, she was back in the House less than two weeks after a caesarean birth in 1970. She looked after the baby in her room in Parliament and took her round the electorate in a carry-cot in her car.”

Former National MP Ruth Richardson’s baby was born during Parliament’s recess in 1983. When the House was called back early, she had to bring her young baby with her as she was still breastfeeding, and a special room was arranged for her.

Traditionally people who are not MPs or officers of the House of Representatives are considered ‘strangers’ and  barred from the floor of the Debating Chamber while the House is sitting, but this parliamentary objection does not apply to  infant children of members. Infants can be brought into the Chamber, and the Ayes and Noes lobbies next to the Chamber, for breast-feeding or bottle-feeding.

Katherine Rich, another former National MP, brought her new baby son to Parliament and was the first MP to feed a baby in the House of Representatives, after her daughter was born in 2002.

A number of other MPs have also had new babies including Labour’s Nanaia Mahuta and former Green MP Holly Walker.

Six babies currently have parents who are members of this Parliament - Willow-Jean Prime, Kiritapu Allen, Kris Faafoi, Chris Penk, Tim van de Molen, and Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. 

The Standing Orders committee encouraged a move towards a more family friendly Parliament, in a report to the House in July this year.

“The health of a democracy can be measured through reference to the diversity of elected members”, it said. “More family friendly conditions could reduce the disincentives for some women and men who otherwise might consider putting themselves forward for election.”

It also acknowledged finding the balance of work and family can be difficult for people in all walks of life.

“The families of members of Parliament can face particular challenges arising from their role, including the working hours, periods away from home, and a heightened public profile. To an extent these pressures are inherent to being elected to Parliament, but it is still important to look for ways to protect the well-being of members’ families.”

Parliament established a childcare centre in the 1990s for the children of MPs and parliamentary staff.

Trevor Mallard holds a baby Enlarge image

Speaker Rt Hon Trevor Mallard with Labour MP Willow-Jean Prime’s three-month old baby Heeni.

Source: Parliament TV