Advocacy

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is the leading voice for breastfeeding in Australia.

From our earliest beginnings in the 1960s, ABA has been advocating for a breastfeeding friendly society. Since this time, we have supported families and raised awareness of the value of breastfeeding across society and with key policy and decision makers.  

We are a trusted global source of knowledge and use evidence-based information to advocate for a breastfeeding inclusive society by: 

1. increasing awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and breastfeeding support amongst key policy and decision makers
2. developing strategic alliances with relevant and influential organisations
3. engaging in consultations to inform and advise the Commonwealth on priority health policy issues 
4. sharing of information and provision of educational opportunities for health professionals. 

ABA’s members are represented on the Department of Health's National Breastfeeding Advisory Council.

Our members and volunteers participate in a range of advocacy initiatives from a grassroots local level, state, national and international.  

As the peak body for breastfeeding and breastfeeding support in Australia, ABA has developed a series of position statements: 

• Breastfeeding 

• Donor milk 

• Safe sleeping 

• Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

• Paid parental leave

ABA has been a 'core team' member of the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative - Australia (WBTiAUS) since it's inception in 2017. Read the results of the 2018 and 2023 assessments for Australia.

ABA is very proud to be partnered with many key public health organisations in our project that seeks full legislation of the Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Read more about our WHO Code Advocacy Project. 

We are an affiliate partner with the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) who are a global network of individuals and organisations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide. 

During the recent federal election, ABA called upon the Government and all candidates to deliver the following for Australia's parents and families:

• Full, 4-year funding for ABA's Breastfeeding Helpline and LiveChat services.
• Legislation of new controls of the marketing of breastmilk substitutes in Australia that encompass the full scope of the WHO International Code and subsequent WHA resolutions.  
• A repeat of the National Infant Feeding Survey in 2025.
• Improve access to continuity of care including midwifery continuity of care.

ABA has a long history of making submissions to inquiries, and membership on expert reference groups and advisory committees. 

Our recent submissions include:  

2024

• Victorian Inquiry into Women's Pain
• ACCC public consultation on Draft Determination re reauthorisation of the MAIF Agreement
• ACCC public consultation on INC's application for reauthorisation of the MAIF Agreement
• Select Committee on reproductive, maternal and paediatric health services in Tasmania (Submission # 16)

2023

• Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding - The Colvin Review (Submission IRCDF_1332_89)
• Department of Health and Aged Care Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review (Submissions not publicly available)

2022

• Senate Committee Inquiry into Food Security in Australia (Submission # 164)
• Senate Select Committee on Work and Care (Submission # 101)
• FSANZ P1028 - Infant Formula - Submissions not available publicly but summary can be found here.

2021

• Review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. Submission here.

2020

• Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 (Submission # 357)
• Royal Commission into National Government Response to Natural Disasters
• National Preventative Health Strategy
• Submissions and call for predetermination conference to ACCC regarding Reauthorisation of the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas: Manufacturers and Importers (MAIF) Agreement for 10 years