Reconciliation Australia pays tribute to the Hon Linda Burney MP for her pioneering career and her dedication to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Statement from Karen Mundine, Reconciliation Australia CEO
On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I pay tribute to Minister Linda Burney for her decades of work and commitment to First Nations peoples, reconciliation, and Australia.
As a former member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Linda is a tireless and long-time supporter of state and local reconciliation groups and movements.
I have known her for most of my life and my entire reconciliation career and know first-hand her dedication and belief in this work.
Her legacy will be marked by her resilience, intelligence and integrity, shining a light on the pathway to reconciliation and justice.
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.
Minister Burney finishes this stage of her career as the first Aboriginal woman to hold the Federal Ministry for Indigenous Australians, 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.
“I say this in the strongest possible terms: Governments come and go. Public opinion waves and wanes. We ain’t going nowhere. This is our country. We will never forgo the pursuit of our rights.” Linda Burney 2018
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.
