DUBBO City Council has received no complaints similar to that of a Queensland mother sparking national debate about public breastfeeding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Acting director community services James McKechnie said the lack of complaint was a good thing for the city as public facilities encouraged the natural practice.
“There’s never been a complaint received at our pool, and we probably have a lot (of breastfeeding mothers) in attendance,” Mr McKechnie said.
“We encourage mothers and groups to attend the pool, and we have changing facilities in compliance with laws to assist them.
“It’s a natural thing.”
Elsewhere, backlash from TV presenter David Koch’s comments on the issue during Channel Seven’s Sunrise continued yesterday as mothers protested in Sydney.
He said women should be “more discreet and modest” and it was fair the Queensland woman had been asked to move when going to breastfeed her child.
On Dubbo streets, residents considered both sides of the coin.
Mark Williams found “Kochie’s” comments to be fair in regards to how it was done.
“I agree with breastfeeding in public, but it’s best to keep them under wraps,” he said.
“A lot of people aren’t good with it, so you have to be a bit mindful of it.”
Allan Goldman and mother of five Christine Rose were not concerned about the topic and thought it was an unnecessary debate.
“It’s not any worry to me at all, no problem,” Mr Goldman said.
“It’s OK - I breastfed all my children, if they’re hungry they’ve got to eat,” Ms Rose said.
“Most women have it covered anyway, you put a shawl over it.”
Tomica Kelly, a mother of two, was upset by the comments made and suggested he try a different perspective.
“He has no right to make those comments,” she said.
“He’s got kids, would he have let them go without a feed all day?”
David Koch did not retract his comments after mothers appeared in protest outside the Sunrise studio but apologised to those who may have thought he implied breastfeeding was shameful.