Woman denied entry to venue because of baby being in tow

A Melbourne mum is heartbroken after she purchased tickets to a live music gig and wasn’t allowed inside.

A mother has expressed her frustration after she was denied access to a concert due to the fact she had her baby with her.

Jasmine had purchased tickets and was headed to Melbourne venue The Forum in the CBD with her partner and five-month-old to see singer Angie McMahon this week when she was told she wasn’t allowed inside.

She told 3AW her baby was on her chest with headphones on when she was told by staff she couldn’t attend and instead offered to return without their child for another night.

The singer herself later called in to the show to say that she would not have minded having a baby in the audience.

Jasmine was denied entry to The Forum due to having her baby. Picture: 3AW

“I’m so sad. I’m sorry that it’s happened. We’ve had newborns at some of the other shows on the tour and it’s been so special,” McMahon said.

“It’s like a really lovely moment to know that their parents have taken them to come see us, and that’s one of their first gigs. It’s so special for us to know that that’s happening so I wouldn’t have minded at all.”

McMahon said she thinks mums, particularly new mums, are typically doing it tough and they should be able to have a night out and enjoy it with their baby.

Jasmine said she has contacted the Human Rights Equal Opportunity Commissioner as well as the Minister for Women and Creative Industries about what happened.

Angie McMahon said she would have been fine having a baby at the performance. Picture: Instagram

The Forum’s parent company The Marriner Group said the event was a “licensed general admission standing” and that they were respectful of the situation.

“The promoter has offered for the customer to come back to attend the show on Friday instead, but without the baby, and hope that is an agreeable solution for everyone.,” they said in a statement.

Arj Barker performing in 2021. Picture: Jim Lee Photo

It comes after a similar incident earlier this year where comedian Arj Barker was distracted by a mother with a baby sitting within the first few rows of his show at Melbourne’s Athanaeum Theatre and asked her to leave the premises.

Things turned ugly as other audience members at the Melbourne Comedy Festival gig heckled the new mum, who later said she felt “humiliated” by the premature end to her night.

What happened then also prompted mix reviews, with Melbourne resident Carole Marshall writing in a letter to the editor for The Age that Barker “politely” asked the mother to leave: “The mother has said she found Barker intimidating but he did not tower over her, criticise breastfeeding or be in any way belligerent.

“He was clearly embarrassed and uncomfortable that he was forced to say something to save his concentration and his show.”