New Zealand: Breastfeeding legislation considered

The government has stopped short of picking up a select committee's recommendation to give greater legal protection to breastfeeding mothers.

The Health Committee recommended the government explore the legislative options for protecting breastfeeding in public places, for example by amending the Human Rights Act.

The government is to consider whether legislation is the most appropriate avenue, but says there may be non-legislative options which could achieve the outcome.

The Labour MP who chairs the health select committee Steve Chadwick says the response is a little disappointing. She says the Human Rights Act could be amended so the Human Rights Commission could consider complaints from women who feel they have been discriminated against.

Read more: Breastfeeding legislation considered