Senior government ministers Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor have announced their retirement from politics at the next federal election in an emotional address, prompting a reshuffle by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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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."
- 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
Australian Associated Press
