Breastfeeding mothers to protest at Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre

Breastfeeding mothers are to protest at the Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre about their right to feed their infants.

The protest is in response to the experience of a young mother who was asked to cease breastfeeding at the facility last weekend.

In apologising for the employee's action, a Moreton Bay Regional Council spokeswoman said that staff at the Centre had received a complaint about a mother breastfeeding in the pool from a family also in the pool.

She added "Moreton Bay Regional Council regrets any distress caused to the mother or her family, and staff have been made aware of the relevant legislation in this area."

A spokeswoman from the Australian Breastfeeding Association also told regional media "it is disappointing to still find that in our society people make critical remarks against breastfeeding."

Under the Federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 it is illegal in Australia to discriminate against a person either directly or indirectly on the grounds of breastfeeding.

In Queensland, breastfeeding discrimination is explicitly illegal.

The protest will be held at the Moreton Bay Council facility at 11am tomorrow (Saturday 19th January).

More information on the Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre can be found at www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/general.aspx?id=930

Images: The young mother who was asked to cease breastfeeding at the Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre (top) and Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre (below).