
Hon Linda Burney
Former Australian Minister for Indigenous Australians
Linda Burney was appointed to the Cabinet by Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese in May 2022 and became the Minister for Indigenous Australians until July 2024.
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 House of Representatives.
During her First Speech to Parliament, Linda stated: "I was born at a time when the Australian Government knew how many sheep there were but not how many Aboriginal people. I was 10 years old before the 1967 referendum fixed that.”
Dedicated to social justice and Indigenous rights, Linda was one of the first Aboriginal students to graduate from Mitchell College, now known as Charles Sturt University, with a teaching degree in 1978.
After beginning her career as a teacher in western Sydney, Linda later went on to be appointed Director General of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Charles Sturt University in 2002.
Prior to entering Federal politics, Linda served 14 years in NSW Parliament as the Member for Canterbury and held a number of senior portfolios including Family Community Services.
At a Federal level Linda has been the Shadow Minister for Human Services, Shadow Minister for Preventing Family Violence and Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services.
Linda has also held senior positions in the non-government sector and served on a number of Boards including SBS, the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, and the NSW Board of Studies.
SESSIONS
Day 1
4:05
Closing Keynote: Navigating Mainstream Leadership: Walking with Culture, Purpose and Power
Carving a path in systems not built for us: Reflections on navigating power structures while holding firm to cultural values and identity
Standing in truth: How to lead with purpose, navigate public scrutiny, and speak for community while under pressure
Creating space for the next generation: Lessons in visibility, legacy, and using your platform to shift narratives and open doors
Hon. Linda Burney, Former Australian Minister for Indigenous Australians