New mums will be able to breastfeed their babies in federal parliament's lower house chamber after the government moved to change long-standing rules.
Previously members of parliament were prohibited from bringing infants into the House of Representatives.
"No member male or female will ever be prevented from participating fully in the operation of the parliament by reason of having the care of a baby," Leader of the House Christopher Pyne said after moving the motion on the first day of the parliamentary year on Tuesday.
The change made the House of Representatives the most family-friendly chamber of a parliament in Australia, Mr Pyne said.
"There is absolutely no reason that rules should remain in place which make life in politics and the parliament more difficult for women," he said.
The change exempts infants from being considered a visitor - who aren't allowed on the floor of the chamber - following a recommendation of a parliamentary committee report.
Debate over breastfeeding was sparked after Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer last year was told to express more breast milk so she didn't miss votes in parliament.
Ms O'Dwyer has indicated she would not breastfeed in the chamber.
Mr Pyne said the change came about due to "something of a family-friendly season", with seven MPs recently welcoming new babies to their families.
"While this significant change only requires a single sentence to be amended in the rule book, I hope it sends a clear message," he said.
The opposition questioned why the change took so long.
"It's extraordinary there was ever any controversy about this. It's about time," manager of opposition business Tony Burke told AAP.
