Back with biggest fan
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LABOR politician and new mum Jo Siejka will soon return to the state’s Legislative Council, and her smallest yet biggest fan will be there to support her.
The Pembroke MLC and fiance Daniel Rostami welcomed their first child, Ivy, in February and Ms Siejka will return to the Upper House on September 15.
Six-month-old Ivy will have an early introduction to the world of politics and is expected to make the occasional guest appearance in the chamber.
It is the first time in recent memory that a sitting member of the Legislative Council has given birth while in office. “She’s a talker, so it might also be really hard to talk with her here,’’ Ms Siejka said with a laugh.
Ms Siejka, 40, said juggling her role as an MLC with her parental responsibilities would be tricky, but she had plenty of support.
“We’ve got a hectic combination of my partner and my mum and my sister and a bit of childcare,’’ she said.
“I will also be having her in here a little bit – my partner and my mum will probably come in – and we’ve got a cot set up [in the office].
“I’m nervous about how challenging it’s going to be trying to balance caring for her and doing the work I need to do, but I am looking forward to it and I am aware that every mother finds that a difficult thing to do.”
Ms Siejka said she had been overwhelmed by the support of parliamentary colleagues as well.
“She is going to be surrounded by so many people I think wanting to help make it possible,’’ she said.
“Everyone has been really supportive.”
Ms Siejka has joined a select group of Tasmanian politicians to fall pregnant while they were a current sitting member, including Paula Wriedt and Alison Ritchie.