<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Questions have been raised about a woman's right to breastfeed in public after a mother was asked to leave a Virgin lounge for expressing breastmilk.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dr Elise Turner spoke out about the incident on social media, calling it "unbelievable".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under federal and state law, it is also illegal.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-sprays-abc-reporter-over-hurting-australia/c8722ca3-cd47-4fe4-90af-6c791665e334" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump threatens Aussie reporter for 'hurting Australia'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fines for breaching the Sex Discrimination Act – which protects, among other things, a woman's right to breastfeed in public – can exceed $30,000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here's what you need to know about the legalities of breastfeeding in public in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span> </span><strong><span>Is it illegal to breastfeed in public in Australia?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/breastfeeding-in-public-legal-rights-explained/e0b21c94-f6a2-47a0-947c-3c1f1ada8b74" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>No, breastfeeding in public is a legal right and protected under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the Act, it is illegal to discriminate (directly or indirectly) against a mother for breastfeeding in public.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That includes telling her to stop, cover up or leave.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Discrimination against a woman who is breastfeeding or expressing is regarded as sex discrimination under federal law.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Penalties for breaching the Act include:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>for an individual - fines of up to $8250, imprisonment for 3 months, or both</span></li><li><span> for a body corporate (corporation, company or association) - fines of up $33,000</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Breastfeeding is also protected under anti-discrimination laws in every state and territory across Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Penalties vary.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/robert-redford-dead-actor-director-activist-dies-aged-89/9427ebcd-1d60-46e9-98be-99ae9a1d375a" target="_blank"><strong><span>Hollywood heartthrob Robert Redford dies, aged 89</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Can someone tell me to stop breastfeeding in public?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>No.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is illegal to discriminate against a woman who is breastfeeding or expressing in public.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That includes telling her to stop or cover up in places like cafes, on public transport, etc. or asking her to breastfeed or express in a bathroom or baby room instead.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Even if another member of the public asks a woman to stop, she retains the right to breastfeed wherever she may legally be.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Can I be asked to leave a public place for breastfeeding?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>No.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under state and federal law it is illegal to ask a woman to leave a public place while breastfeeding or expressing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These laws apply in all public spaces, from cafes and restaurants, to parks, public transport, and shopping centres.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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