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MPs in Australia expected to bring babies to chamber

Xinhua, February 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

Members of House of Representatives at the Australian parliament are expected to be able to bring their babies to the chamber as the government introduced a move to change the house's rule.

Under the current rules, babies are listed as visitors, who are not allowed on the floor of the chamber.

The new move will exempt babies from being considered visitors.

Christopher Pyne, leader of the House of Representatives, who has introduced the change, said this is the right move forward in bringing the federal parliament up to speed with modern workplaces and making the house of representatives the most family friendly chamber of Parliament in Australia.

"As the leader of the House of Representatives, I want to see as many women entering parliament as possible and for them to not be deterred by any antiquated rules or practices that currently govern how our parliament operates," Pyne said.

"There is absolutely no reason that rules should remain in place which make life in politics and the parliament more difficult for women." Enditem