Expectant MP Rebecca White manages the expectations

DOES having a baby mean you need to put your political ambitions to one side? No way, says Labor Lyons MP Rebecca White.

Rebecca White, 33, at home in Orielton with her fiance Rodney Dann, 34. Pictures: SAM ROSEWARNE

DOES having a baby mean you need to put your political ambitions to one side?

No way, says the young Labor MP widely considered to be the next leader of her party and a future Premier.

While the impending fatherhood of male MPs passes unremarked, as Rebecca White will be visibly pregnant when State Parliament resumes next month she is keen to head off any assumptions about her future in politics.

Ms White, 33, and her partner Rodney Dann, 34, are expecting their first child in November.

She said there were a number of dads with young children in Parliament and she aimed to emulate their ability to juggle work and parenting.

“They have managed quite well and no one has ever questioned whether they can both do their job and be a parent. That’s one of the reasons we want to … let people know we are expecting,” she said.

“I think it’s important because of the role I have to demonstrate that as a woman you can continue to have ambitions for yourself as well as for your family.”

Ms White is among a group of younger MPs who are considered the future of Labor, and she is strongly favoured as the next state party leader.

Ms White and Mr Dann, with dog Griff, are expecting their first child in November.

Mr Dann is a chef who owns a food truck catering business and is coach of SFL club Dodges Ferry.

The couple said they were excited and nervous about becoming parents.

“The discussion we always had was around sharing responsibility for care,” Ms White said.

“There are still entrenched stereotypes that exist around the role of men and women in relationships and who should be the primary caregiver. It’s important to challenge that.”

Mr Dann said he was fortunate to have flexibility in his work to support Ms White in continuing her politcal career.

“We are pretty excited,” he said.

Ms White said her due date would fall when parliament was almost done for the year, meaning she would miss few if any sitting days.

However parental leave is not factored in to employment conditions of state MPs.

If required a motion will need to be moved in the House of Assembly to grant leave if Ms White is to miss more than 14 sitting days.

Ms White said she planned to spend summer “learning how to be a good mum” before returning when parliament resumes in March.

ReachTEL polling conducted for the Mercury last year showed Ms White was a clear favourite among 2696 people polled to be Labor leader.