Labor’s Raff Ciccone made history as parliament resumed in Canberra this week, becoming the first father to bring their baby into the Senate chamber.
Ciccone, a federal Senator from Victoria, held his 10-week-old son inside the chamber on Wednesday during Question Time.
“I had a memorable day yesterday when baby Ciccone spent time with me while I was working in the Senate chamber,” Ciccone said.
“More fathers should have the opportunity to take their child to work wherever possible.”
Ciccone thanked his parliamentary colleagues for creating such a “family-friendly environment” in the Senate. He noted the day was particularly memorable as it also marked the second anniversary of the Set the Standard report, which was instrumental in making parliament a more inclusive place to work.
Conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and led by the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, the report was the culmination of an independent review into commonwealth parliamentary workplaces.
Ciccone also shared a photo of himself, his son and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, writing: “Great to start the week by introducing the newest member of the Ciccone family to the Prime Minister @AlboMP and colleagues today.”
Ciccone’s milestone as the first father to bring their baby to the Senate follows a precedent set by Senator Larissa Waters, who was the first federal politician to breastfeed their baby in parliament, back in 2017. Prior to that, it had not been generally accepted for babies to enter parliamentary chambers.
Indeed it wasn’t until 2016 that parliamentary rules were changed to enable female MPs to breastfeed in the chamber. Children had previously been banned from entering during divisions.
And while it is still rare for a parent to bring their baby into work with them in parliament, it is slowly becoming more accepted. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sparked international attention when she brought her child, Neve, to the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.
It’s also significant that it is no longer just female politicians who are bringing their babies to work. Ciccone’s milestone this week will play a role in normalising it for fathers too.