Multitasking in the workforce

[Warrigal]

In Australia we have recently had a change of government and among the newly sworn in members are a lot of youngish women, some of whom have very young children.

This photo was taken after the bells had been rung to summon all the members back for a division vote. I've never seen this before. One senior MP is reading 'That's not my Elf' to another MP's infant boy.

Finally, parliament is beginning to look like the whole of society, not just old men wearing suits and ties.
I find this very refreshing.

 

[Tish]

That is wonderful.

 

[Mike]

They had similar here till recently, when some MP
complained, there was another waste of hot air
for a few weeks about it, in the end I believe that
they have stopped allowing young children in, or
the fight has gone elsewhere till it is sorted out
and they will be accepted again.

I think it was something to do with a screaming
child during a serious debate.

A long time ago, the politicians were all elderly,
so they didn't have any young children, to bring.

Mike.

 

[Lara]

I don't know what the Parliamentary role is in Australia but here in the US the Parliament must stay focused on it's duties of debating public policy and passing laws including those to appropriate money, checking the government, and representing the people. Children have a way of distracting us all in a magnitude of ways. They're just too darn cute for one

 

[horseless carriage]