Abandon ship: Two senior ministers walk away, forcing reshuffle, a year from next election
Two senior ministers who overcame personal tragedies to serve for decades in parliament have spoken emotionally about their time in office as they prepare to retire at the next election.
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor will step down at the next federal vote, due by May 2025, sparking speculation about what shape a cabinet reshuffle will take.
Ms Burney’s son died in 2017 and Mr O’Connor’s wife in 2018.
The Indigenous minister has lived a life of firsts, including being the first Indigenous person in NSW parliament, the first Indigenous woman in the House of Representatives and the first Indigenous woman to take on the portfolio.
“But I won’t be the last – to me that is progress and it’s time to hand the baton on,” she said alongside the prime minister and Mr O’Connor in Sydney on Thursday.
“I have been through more than my fair share of life’s ups and downs but I think I’ve done it with kindness, grace, resilience, intelligence and integrity.”
On the failed referendum for an Indigenous voice to parliament and constitutional recognition, Ms Burney said there were silver linings in millions of Australians voting ‘yes’ and she had given her all to reconciliation.
“I was in Redfern in 1993 when Paul Keating made his Redfern speech, on the Sydney Harbor Bridge in 2000 for the walk for reconciliation, I was in the chamber when Kevin Rudd made his apology on behalf of the Australian people in 2008.
“I’ve seen a lot, and let me tell you that progress doesn’t always move in a straight line.
“But with every passing generation, the arc bends a little bit more towards justice – I’ve done my bit and the time for the new generation is now.”
Mr O’Connor said it was time he spent more of it at home with his daughter Una, as he thanked colleagues and reflected on his decades as a parliamentarian.
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“If she wasn’t so resilient and remarkable, I would have left the place long ago,” he said.
The decision was also to ensure “I could provide opportunities for capable and energetic members of our government that could step up” ahead of the next election, he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lauded the achievement of both his cabinet colleagues.
“We’ll always be grateful for the extraordinary example which these two fine Australians give of why people should enter public life to make a difference,” he said.
A new ministry will be announced in Canberra on Sunday and sworn in on Monday.
There is widespread speculation Andrew Giles will be sacked as immigration minister, after coming under fire for his handling of a High Court case that led to the release of more than 150 immigration detainees.
INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS MINISTER LINDA BURNEY:
* Born in Whitton in southwest NSW in 1957, joined the Labor party and was first elected to state parliament in 2003 as the member for Canterbury
* In 2016 switched to federal parliament, elected to the seat of Barton in southern Sydney, becoming the first Indigenous woman to serve in the House of Representatives
* Appointed Minister for Indigenous Australians after Labor won the 2022 election, oversaw the abolition of the community development program and record investment in remote housing
* Suffered a setback when the referendum to establish a First Nation’s voice to parliament failed but has continued to advocate for the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart
* Overcame tragedy when her 33-year-old son Binni Kirkbright-Burney died in 2017
* Ms Burney said she would spend more time with loved ones and had a valuable contribution to make outside of parliament
* “I was the first Indigenous person elected to the New South Wales parliament, the first Indigenous woman in the House of Representatives, the first Indigenous woman appointed by this wonderful man (Mr Albanese) to cabinet. But I won’t be the last. To me that is progress and it’s time to hand the baton on. It’s been one heck of a journey, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
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– Linda Burney
* “Linda’s humility is something that characterises her record of just incredible achievement”
– Anthony Albanese
SKILLS AND TRAINING MINISTER BRENDAN O’CONNOR:
* Born in England in 1962, moved to Australia at the age of six and settled with his family in Melbourne
* First elected to parliament with Labor in 2001 as the member for Burke in Melbourne’s outer suburbs
* Appointed to cabinet by Kevin Rudd in 2007 as Minister for Employment Participation, before serving as Minister for Home Affairs, Human Services, Housing and Small Business during the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years
* Rejoined cabinet after Labor came to power in 2022 as Minister for Skills and Training
* As part of the Albanese government, established Jobs and Skills Australia, the National Skills Agreement and TAFE centres of excellence with state and territory governments
* Lost his wife Jodi Dack to breast cancer in 2018
* “If someone had told me when I was first elected in 2001 that I would go on to serve in three cabinets in three Labor governments, under three prime ministers, I would have told them they’re dreaming”
– Brendan O’Connor
* “You couldn’t ask for a better colleague and friend than Brendan O’Connor, and you won’t find a more decent human being”
– Anthony Albanese
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
* Mr Albanese will announce a new ministry in Canberra on Sunday
* It is widely expected Immigration Minister Andrew Giles will be moved from his portfolio after coming under fire for his handling of a High Court case that led to the release of more than 150 immigration detainees
* Mr Albanese said he expects it to be the last cabinet reshuffle before the next federal election, which is due by the end of May 2025
