New breastfeeding rules for Parliament have hit a snag, with the McGowan Government banning parliamentary dads from bottle-feeding their babies.

Changes to standing orders — which were supposed to be debated this week — specifically allow female MPs to breastfeed but have stopped short of including bottle-feeding, sparking claims the changes are discriminatory.

The Sunday Times understands at least one Labor MP raised the matter in Caucus on Thursday. Shortly afterwards, opposition parties were told the motion would not be debated at 4pm as agreed.

The Government vigorously denied the motion was pulled due to internal Labor Party conflict, claiming it was simply busy with its “substantial legislative agenda to get through the Parliament, including the ongoing delivery of election commitments”.

But it did confirm that unlike female MPs, male MPs would not be allowed to feed their children while on the floor of Parliament.

“The Labor Party caucus made a decision to support mothers with newborn babies, who need to be breastfed,” a government spokesman said. “It is a unique arrangement to ensure new mothers are able to perform their role as parliamentarians.

“By supporting new mothers, this will help get the balance right and address the community’s expectations.”

As it stands, members are banned from feeding their babies on the floor of the House while Parliament is sitting. Any MP who needs to feed their child can leave the chamber and is automatically granted an informal “pair” when it comes to voting on legislation.

Last year, a survey of 45 Legislative Assembly MPs found 31 were in favour of allowing breast feeding and bottle feeding in the chamber.

A Procedure and Privileges Committee’s report late last year called for a trial allowing infants onto the floor of the House. It also recommended both breast and bottle feeding by all MPs be allowed.

At the time, Maylands MP Lisa Baker said: “what matters most is that we have an environment and a workplace which is fair and equitable for all of us who come to this place,” while Labor colleague Amber-Jade Sanderson said the inability to bring her son into the chamber had had a significant impact.

Deputy Opposition Leader Liza Harvey last night said that while the subject sparked “very strong opinions, including from our own side,” the Caucus decision to ban the bottle was “bizarre”.

“Labor’s stance on banning Parliamentary men from bottle-feeding their babies as primary carers is bizarre, given the Labor Government has legislation before the House that allows gay men access to surrogacy,” she said.

When asked if he wished to discuss the Caucus decision,Southern RiverMP Terry Healy said: “I support the Caucus decision and have nothing further to add.”