Breastfeeding senator targeted by vicious trolls
Australia's pioneering breastfeeding senator has brushed off a nasty text message comment accusing her of being an exhibitionist.
Green's senator Larissa Waters made international headlines and provoked debate after becoming the first woman to breastfeed her baby while moving a motion in parliament.
While many supported her actions, the senator shared an impolite text message she received with her Twitter followers.
The anonymous troll sent a message to the senator: 'Not a good look you may think it's clever but believe me Waters will be remembered in politics as the dumb b**** with the big t**s with an ego that was five feet in front of her brains all the best next time round she is a goner but she is already aware of that hence the exhibition Regards.'
The senator appeared unfazed by the criticism sharing the message with the comment "Lol "Regards"."
More than 100 users have responded to the troll's message, with many standing up for the senator.
"Please know you're inspiring the rest of us to be brave and never give up," one user wrote.
Another said: "Keep doing what you are doing @larissawaters - challenge stereotypes and leading by example"
On Thursday, three-month-old Alia Joy was breastfed while Senator Waters was on her feet to move a motion relating to black lung disease.
Publications including People Magazine, New York Post and Hello Magazine have written about the senator's actions with one saying she "showed no qualms breastfeeding in front of her colleagues."
Senator Waters tweeted after the incident: "First time I've had to move a Senate motion while breastfeeding! And my partner in crime moved her own motion just before mine, bless her."
Alia Joy has been a regular visitor in the Senate chamber since she made her debut in May.
Senator Waters spoke on Sunrise on Friday morning saying she is somewhat surprised by the fuss.
"On the one hand I'm really thrilled to send a message that young women can take their place in parliament and can be part of making the decisions that affect people's lives," she said.
"But on the other hand breastfeeding is something that is so natural and normal, and it's kind of surprising that's it's making front page news."
First time I've had to move a Senate motion while breastfeeding! And my partner in crime moved her own motion just before mine, bless her
— Larissa Waters (@larissawaters) June 22, 2017
Senator Waters joked that even though her young daughter can get loud she said the three-month-old has been surprisingly well behaved in the chamber.
"I might add a bit better behaved than some of the other people in the chamber."
The senator added: "She gets hungry a lot, and she needs feeding irrespective of what's happening in the senate chamber. "
She said her partner has taken some time off work to allow her to do her job.
Senator Waters said she knows not everyone has this chance, but said it is a good opportunity to raise awareness of the need for better family friendly workplaces and for affordable child care.
Senator Waters said people have been very supportive of her actions and she also thinks it has been positive for her colleagues.
"Because we're in a bit of a bubble in parliament, and obviously it's a high stress and sometimes pretty toxic sort of environment, having a baby around it tends to bring a smile to people's faces."
"I think that hopefully improves people's moods if not the quality of the decisions that are made."
