A breastfeeding mother of twins was left outraged after being asked to leave a Virgin Australia business lounge at Melbourne Airport for pumping breast milk. Dr. Elise Turner, a general practitioner, was expressing milk discreetly under her T-shirt when she was approached by staff and told to stop.
Dr. Turner had initially requested a private space, other than a restroom, to pump milk. A Virgin staff member suggested hiring a boardroom for an additional $100. Opting instead for a quiet corner in the lounge, she was later confronted by a supervisor who cited the presence of men as a reason for her to cease pumping.
“She bailed me up in the corner of the lounge and told me, ‘You can’t do that here, because there are men here’,” Dr. Turner recounted.
Dr. Turner, who specializes in women’s health, expressed her frustration, emphasizing her actions were neither shameful nor inappropriate. She was simply tending to her six-month-old twins after attending a medical conference in Perth.
Legal Rights and Social Norms
Dr. Turner highlighted her legal right to pump breast milk, referencing the protections under the Sex Discrimination Act. Despite this, she felt pressured to justify her actions to the Virgin supervisor, showcasing the discreet nature of her breast pump.
“I was so flabbergasted and so just in absolute sort of disbelief and shock and she was so adamant that she really made me second-guess whether I was right,” she said.
Upon leaving the lounge, Dr. Turner attempted to address the issue with guest services but was unsuccessful. The supervisor insisted that her presence and conversation were making others uncomfortable, ultimately asking her to leave.
Public Reaction and Corporate Response
Dr. Turner took to social media to express her anger over the incident, describing the treatment as “disgusting.” Her post has since sparked widespread discussion about the need for greater support and normalization of breastfeeding in public spaces.
Virgin Australia has since issued an apology. A spokeswoman stated, “We are sorry for the way this situation was handled. It fell short of the high standards of care and customer service our team strives to deliver. We have reached out to our guest today to apologize directly.”
Expert Opinions on Breastfeeding Rights
Victoria Marshall-Cerins, executive officer at The Australian Breastfeeding Association, emphasized that breastfeeding, including expressing milk, is a legally protected right. She expressed disappointment that such incidents still occur in 2025.
“Women have the right to breastfeed and express in public places, wherever they are lawfully able to be,” Marshall-Cerins stated. “When we put obstacles in the way of women being able to achieve their breastfeeding goals, we are excluding them.”
Marshall-Cerins noted that many women in Australia wish to breastfeed but face societal and systemic barriers that hinder their ability to do so.
Moving Forward
The incident at Melbourne Airport highlights ongoing challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers in public spaces. Despite legal protections, societal attitudes and inadequate facilities continue to pose significant obstacles.
As discussions around breastfeeding rights gain momentum, there is hope for increased awareness and policy changes that better accommodate the needs of breastfeeding parents. Meanwhile, Melbourne Airport has confirmed there are no restrictions on breastfeeding or pumping milk within its premises.
Dr. Turner’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers and ensuring their rights are respected in all public and private spaces.
