Linda Burney was the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the NSW Parliament and the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the Australian House of Representatives. Photo: Chris Sheedy, Reflexe.
Linda Burney was elected the federal Member for Barton in 2016, following a 14-year career in the NSW Parliament as Member for Canterbury.
Linda began her career as a teacher in western Sydney and then as an education bureaucrat before being appointed Director General of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in 2000.
During her state political career, she served as a minister in a number of senior portfolios including as Minister for Community Services and later as Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Following her election to the Federal House of Representatives, she was immediately appointed as Shadow Minister for Human Services. In mid – 2018 she was promoted to Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services.
Photos: Chris Sheedy, Reflexe.
As a proud member of the Wiradjuri Nation, Linda was the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the NSW Parliament and the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the Australian House of Representatives.
Linda Burney came to Yuin Country to talk change across a number of fronts – employment, education, media and communication, reconciliation and her own personal life which she says has been buffeted by change.
Her appearance at the Festival of Open Minds (September 1) came just a week after Malcolm Turnbull was ousted as Prime Minister.
Hit play on the AudioBoom player to be a part of the conversation…
Thanks to Gerry Corcoran and the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre for their audio, visual, and tech support at the Festival.
Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.
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