STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator PAYMAN (Western Australia—Australia's Voice Whip) (13:48): I rise today with my daughter Aaliyah in my arms because motherhood doesn't pause for parliament. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have cherished every moment of it.

But—and there's a big but—it's bloody tough. Nobody prepares you for this—the exhaustion that sits in your bones, the nights that turn into days, the quiet moments you wonder whether you're doing any of this right. I'm so grateful and fortunate for the support I've had from my husband, my mum, my sister and my in-laws.

It truly takes a village to raise a child. I'm in awe of Australia's mums, particularly those before us who have done this without medical support and other supports we enjoy today. It's made me think about those without a village: the single parents doing this entirely on their own, who can't give the baby over to anybody at 3 am, with no-one to share the load with; and the essential workers and small-business owners who can't take the leave they need because someone has to show up.

I'm in awe of their strength. In 2026, things are better than ever for new mums, but there's still a long way to go. We don't talk enough about the physical recovery.

Colleagues, let me tell you, my birthing journey was tough. It really sucked, but I'm so thankful to the midwives and nurses who cared for Aaliyah and me. Then there's the mental load—the silent suffering many parents carry alone, too afraid to speak up and worried about people's judgement.

Well, I'm not suffering in silence. I'm asking for help. I'm talking to professionals.

It's okay to get it wrong sometimes. It's okay to not be the perfect parent that society tells you to be, because that parent doesn't exist. What exists is love done imperfectly and often held by the people around us, and that's enough.