Federal MP Andrew Laming, and his wife Olesja, welcomed their daughter Isobel today, July 24. Isobel Laming was born at Mater Private Redlands at 8 am, and weighed 3.05 kg (just under 7 pounds). Isobel joins big sister Sophie-Claire, aged 3.

Andrew represents the seat of Bowman in Queensland for the Liberal National Party of Queensland, first winning the seat in 2004 for the Liberal Party of Australia. Before entering politics, he was a doctor specialising in ophthalmology, and also holds a diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics. He gained his Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, and holds post-graduate degrees in Public Policy and Public Health. He has cleared land mines in Afghanistan with Halo Trust while working as a war surgeon, done research in trachoma and other eye diseases, and established health databases and a volunteering service. He has been part of the World Bank Group’s Health, Nutrition and Population Section in Washington DC, and a Health Planning Specialist in East Timor. Andrew is the son of former Queensland state MP Bruce Laming.

Olesja (nee Baturevica) is from Latvia, and her background is in banking. Andrew met her in 2005, while on a study tour of Latvia. The couple has been married since 2007.

(Photo shows Andrew and Olesja after the birth of Sophie-Claire).