Minister for Women

Linda Burney, Minister for Community Services and Minister for Women

Linda Burney was elected Member for Canterbury in 2003 and was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Fair Trading, Youth and Volunteering in 2007.

In September 2008 she was promoted to the position of Minister for Community Services, and in September 2009 she was also appointed Minister for Women.

Linda is the first Aboriginal Australian to be elected to the NSW Parliament and a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation. Linda’s commitment to Indigenous issues spans 30 years.

Her early career was in teaching and she spent much of her career working in education. She held leadership positions in the non-government sector and is a former Director General of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

As a member of the Rees Government’s Cabinet she is able to continue her role as a passionate advocate for social justice.

Her primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children at risk of harm. She views the care and nurturing of children as a collective responsibility, shared between families, the community and the government.

Ms Burney took over the portfolio prior to Justice Wood handing down his report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services and and so is in the fortunate position of being responsible for the implementation of Keep Them Safe, the Government’s five year plan for child protection. The new legislation was passed by the Parliament in April 2009.

In 2002 her expertise was formally recognised when she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Charles Sturt University.

She is the immediate past President of the Australian Labor Party and also delivered the Henry Parkes Oration in Canberra on 17 October 2008.