Doctor Expresses Outrage After Being Asked to Leave Virgin Australia Lounge While Pumping Breast Milk
Melbourne, VIC – Virgin Australia has issued an apology to a Gold Coast-based doctor after she alleges she was asked to leave a Melbourne Airport business lounge due to discomfort expressed by others while she discreetly pumped breast milk for her baby.
Dr. Elise Turner, a specialist in women’s health, shared her experience on Instagram, stating she was “furious” after a service manager requested she relocate to a bathroom to express milk, rather than remaining in the lounge while doing so under her clothing.Turner, a mother of twins, described the incident as “pretty unbelievable.”
“I’m beyond furious right now,” Turner posted.”This is just disgusting. It’s 2025, and this is the kind of treatment lactating mothers are still expected to endure.”
According to Turner’s account, she informed the manager that federal laws protect breastfeeding and breast milk expression. However, she claims the manager responded by stating she was making other patrons uncomfortable, and then physically touched her arm while asking her to leave the lounge.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 prohibits discrimination based on breastfeeding. Moreover, in Victoria, discrimination related to breastfeeding is illegal in a range of areas including accomodation, clubs, education, employment, and access to goods and services, as outlined by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Virgin Australia acknowledged the incident and offered an apology for the handling of the situation. “This fell short of the high standards of care and customer service our team strives to deliver,” a spokesperson told SBS News. “We have reached out to our guest today to apologise directly.”
SBS News has reached out to Dr. Turner for further comment.
