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AAP
AAP
Politics
Dominic Giannini

All smiles as proud father introduces newborn to Senate

Labor senator Raff Ciccone holds his baby while in the Senate chamber. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

He might not yet realise it, but a 10-week-old baby has made history in the Australian Senate.

Labor's Raff Ciccone was all smiles as he cradled his newborn son, becoming the first father to do so on the floor of the upper house.

Senator Ciccone spared his pride and joy from the shouting match of Question Time, returning once the fiery session settled.

Greens senator Larissa Waters
Greens senator Larissa Waters made history in 2017 when she breastfed her baby in the Senate. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

It was important for community leaders in high profile positions to set an example and ensure other parents felt encouraged to play a supporting role in their children's lives, Senator Ciccone said.

"It's essential that all workplaces create a family friendly and respectful environment," he told AAP.

"Bringing your child to work should be encouraged by more workplaces wherever possible."

The occasion coincided with the second anniversary of the Set the Standard report, which charted a path for Parliament House to be more inclusive after widespread reports of toxic behaviour, harassment and bullying.

Labor senator Jana Stewart
Labor senator Jana Stewart's baby became the first Indigenous child in the upper house. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Ciccone junior joined the ranks of several history-making babies in the Senate.

Labor senator Jana Stewart's baby became the first Indigenous child to be on the upper house floor in February 2023.

And Greens senator Larissa Waters made history in 2017 when she breastfed her baby in the Senate, after pushing for rules to be changed for mothers and fathers to care for their young children in the chamber.

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