Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I rise to support the recommendations in the report on provisions for a more family-friendly chamber. I stand here today as the mother of three adult sons and a member of this parliament. Long days in Parliament House are tough on families. I have heard that since arriving here and have witnessed it myself. My observations of my younger peers, those members of parliament who are parents of young children, have led me to reflect often. I could not really imagine being a new member of parliament and a new mother.

Thanks to women such as Jenny Macklin, Tanya Plibersek and Catherine King, who paved the way, taking the risks and challenging the dominant narrative of their time, change has come to this place. The proxy vote referenced earlier demonstrates that. This inquiry into the adequacy of provisions for a more family-friendly House of Representatives was prompted, really, by the year of many births—by our own local baby boom in members' ranks in 2015, with more than 10 members having babies this year alone. Some of them include my good mate Jim Chalmers, the member for Rankin, Kate Ellis, the member for Adelaide, Amanda Rishworth, the member for Kingston, Pat Conroy, the member for Charlton, Kelly O'Dwyer, the member for Higgins, and Matt Thistlethwaite, the member for Kingsford Smith.

The inquiry has handed down a report that recommends that the parliament allow members to bring their infants into the parliament in order to have the opportunity to participate fully in the work of the House. Critically, the amendment is gender neutral. It is important that as a federal parliament we lead the way on this issue—we should be an example of the best so that every member can benefit. Modern parliament needs modern fathers and modern mothers. I am proud to see the federal parliament taking the lead by ensuring that the floor of the parliament is a family-friendly workplace. This report, and the recommendation, will do that.

As a new mum or dad and as an MP, it will make a significant difference to be able to take an infant into the chamber. If it is late at night or if there is important legislation being debated that directly relates to the member's community and the member has no other option at the time, it makes sense for that member to be able to bring their infant into the chamber. The recommended change to standing orders reflects modern community expectations. It should not matter if it is John or Betty holding the baby; they should be able to be present in the House when required.

The inquiry heard from members who had recently become parents. One particularly compelling story was from the member for Hotham, Clare O'Neil, about her first few months in the parliament back in 2013, when she arrived not just as a new member but also as a new mother. The existing proxy arrangements served Clare well in most instances, in that she could miss a division when her child could not be left, but they did not suit her at all times, and I can only reflect on the demands on new parents or parents of young children and the demands of this place. This recommendation gives members another option—to bring their infant into the parliament. Last month, when this issue arose, the member for Hotham tweeted that, as a mother and an MP, it would make a huge difference for her to be able take her baby into the chamber. I, with other members, was shocked by the lack of understanding from some that subsequently ensued. One comment stands out. The tweet read: 'Politicians get paid enough for child care. Get on with the job.' This reflects a clear lack of understanding of the work of the parliament and of members.

This recommendation shows family-friendly leadership that supports members and ensures that being a modern parent does not preclude or deter parents from running for parliament and representing their communities. The hours that people work here are long. On any morning, arriving before 7 am, I can pass members with their infants also arriving and see members and infants across the day and well into the night. Child care may be an option at some stages and for some parts of the day, but not from 7 am to 11 pm or later.

Every family of young children understands how difficult it can be to travel with children, and this is no less difficult for parliamentarians. Although in the recommendations of this report we are making a change that will assist parliamentarians, there is more that we can do as a parliament about the practical support needed for members and children—things like the provision of cars with appropriate child seats and restraints. This is a small, practical thing, but it can be an extraordinary burden for young parents. Provisions to allow members to have a second adult travel with them to support them in childcare arrangements was also something that the committee heard about during the inquiry but is not within its remit. There is more we can do, but this is a great start.

I would like to thank the members of the Standing Committee on Procedure, many of whom are grandparents and have raised their children while being members of this place. Their understanding and their experience means that they have lived with the difficulties and the demands that we are talking about. It was a pleasure to be involved in a process that was not controversial where we all worked together for the betterment of parents. I thank all those who made submissions and spoke to the committee, and I commend the committee and the recommendations of this report.

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