Linda Burney thanked for her “resilience, intelligence and integrity” by well wishers after announcing her retirement

Dechlan Brennan – July 25, 2024

Linda Burney’s announcement that she will retire at next federal election has been met with a plethora of well wishes from across the country, with the Minister for Indigenous Australians heralded as a tireless advocate for Indigenous causes.

On Thursday, Ms Burney, 67, announced she would step down from the cabinet, and retire at the end of this electoral cycle, having become the first Aboriginal woman in the House of Representatives when she was first elected in the southern Sydney seat of Barton in 2016.

Reconciliation Australia paid tribute to Ms Burney, who is a former member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, with chief executive Karen Mundine calling her a “tireless and long-time supporter of state and local reconciliation groups and movements”.

“Her legacy will be marked by her resilience, intelligence and integrity, shining a light on the pathway to reconciliation and justice,” Ms Mundine said.

“More than most, Linda knows and constantly reminds us of the important part we all need to play as we work together towards a reconciled future.”

Before entering federal politics, Ms Burney served in a variety of senior portfolios in NSW parliament, becoming the first Indigenous person to do so.

Since winning government in 2022, where Ms Burney won Barton with a two-party-preferred margin of more than 15.5 per cent after receiving just over 50 per cent of the primary vote, Labor has enacted a series of policies aimed at helping First Nations communities.

These have included the abolishing of the cashless debit card – which was viewed as negatively impacting Indigenous communities – as well as announcing a series of large spends on Indigenous housing and health, focusing on rural and regional areas.

Ms Burney was the first Aboriginal woman to hold the federal Portfolio for Indigenous Australians, with Ms Mundine saying it was a position she “accepted graciously and a role she never took lightly”.

“A direct and fearless Wiradjuri woman, Linda is always clear about who she is and why she does this work,” she said.

“As a friend to, and advocate for, Reconciliation Australia, and an ‘Aunty’ in all the best ways to myself and countless others we owe a debt of thanks to Minister Burney and wish her all the very best for a well-earned break as she starts the next stage of her journey.”