An Australian MP widely tipped for promotion has been in a very weird tussle with her party's leadership over breastfeeding protocols.
Fairfax Media broke the story on Wednesday afternoon that government whip Scott Buchholz had asked Victorian MP Kelly O'Dwyer to express more breastmilk so she wouldn't miss important votes.
But there's already specific rules that ensure new mothers aren't stuffed around. A change to the standing orders was made in 2008, so that Aussie MPs could vote by "proxy" if they needed to breastfeed.
According to Fairfax, Buchholz looked for some advice from his opposite number about parliament's rules and then relented.
BuzzFeed News understands the breastfeeding issue between the Whip's office and the new mother has now been resolved.
The Whip's office told BuzzFeed News the story was "factually incorrect" and referred enquiries to O'Dwyer.
Her office would not comment on the record.
It didn't stop Greens senator Larissa Waters having a pop at Bucholz for his breastfeeding advice.
Buchholz belongs on the express out the door with that attitude to breastfeeding! @TurnbullMalcolm @latikambourke http://t.co/XGPUeM49X8
And Labor's Health spokesperson Catherine King made it clear...
@latikambourke @smh the proxy vote was bought in when I had my baby he is now 7. The whip should have known