The "stranger in the house" rule isn't applied to the pages that run between
desks delivering messages, or to the parliamentary counsel, or speaker's
staff that are on the floor of the House, presumably because the standing
orders allow these people to be present.

So the speaker's ruling was based on a narrow interpretation of who is
exempt from the "Stranger in the House" rule, which is one of tradition as
much as anything. (Not wanting to diminish parliamentary procedures based on
tradition - they are very serious business.)

Was it an actual ruling based on someone in the legislative assembly
objecting to a "stranger in the house" or was that the excuse the speaker's
office gave after the fact? If it's the latter, my guess is that asked her
wanted her to leave to breastfeed in private and that they came up with the
ruling after the fact.

-- Jodine

> From: Karleen Gribble <[log in to unmask]>
>
> My understanding is that babies had been in the Vic parliament before
> without a problem- just not that young and not breastfeeding. It's my take
> that the "stanger in the house rule" was used as an excuse to get her out of
> there. How often does this happen and the real reason for them being asked
> to leave is not used. The way she was asked to leave was also common- there
> was a "special place she could got to to breastfeed" They have talked about
> changing the rules but when the speaker was questioned though she was quite
> OK about babies being with their mothers in parliament she could not see
> what there was any need for women to breastfeed there- there was a room
> close by set aside for that. How often are women directed to the "special
> breastfeeding place" ostensibly for their comfort but really for the comfort
> of the person who wants to get breastfeeding out of their sight. The last
> place this happened to me was one of the children's hospitals in Sydney of
> all places.

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