Linda Burney, the Labour Party’s leading activist, was visibly shaken and fighting back tears as she quit politics.
Anthony Albanese announced at a press conference in Sydney on Thursday that Minister for Indigenous Australia Linda Burney and Minister for Skills Brendan O’Connor will resign at the next federal election, due in May 2025.
The announcement allowed the prime minister to make the first changes to his ministry, which has remained unchanged since the May 2022 elections.
On Thursday, he praised Ms Burney’s career, saying she had lived “an incredible life” and suffered hardship, having lost her husband and son.
“Anyone who has the honor of calling Linda a friend understands the great power behind her warmth and the courage that is the essence of her grace,” he said.
‘The discrimination, hardships and losses he had to overcome in his life are more than most of us can comprehend.’
When she rose to speak, Ms Burney, who oversaw the failed referendum for Voice, said: “I’m not promising I won’t cry.”
“After 21 years in politics, eight years in the federal parliament and 13 years in the New South Wales parliament, it is time to pass the baton to the next generation,” he said.
His voice trembled as he spoke of his personal circumstances: “I’ve been through more than my fair share of ups and downs in life.”
From left to right: Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Australia’s Indigenous Peoples Linda Burney
Linda Burney (pictured) resigned as Minister for Australian Aborigines on Thursday
He paused, trying to contain his emotions, nervously adjusting his glasses.
“But I think I’ve done it with kindness, grace, resilience, intelligence and integrity,” he said finally.
“Of course, the Voice referendum, as the Prime Minister said, did not produce the result we had hoped for, but I think history will be kind to it.”
He thanked the Prime Minister and added: “I will call you Anthony today.”
‘To you, Anthony, thank you for always being by my side, for your support and your friendship.’
Mr Albanese said the two ministerial departures would “allow for a renewal and for some new ministers to take their place and take us forward in the coming months before the election”.
He then promoted a united cabinet in his first two years in office.
“No government in living memory has had the same cabinet and the same ministerial positions during its first two years in office,” he said.
Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor (pictured) announced his resignation on Thursday
The announcement paves the way for a cabinet reshuffle by Albanese, with speculation that Immigration Minister Andrew Giles will be sacked.
However, the Prime Minister dodged questions about Giles on Thursday.
“What does a reshuffle mean for ministers like Andrew Giles and their future?” one reporter asked.
He replied: ‘It means there will be a reshuffle on Sunday.
“I’m not going to speculate on all the results. We have party assembly processes that will be respected.”
Mr Albanese has called for applications for top-level posts.
He will announce the new cabinet line-up in Canberra on Sunday and the new ministers will be sworn in on Monday morning.
“We have also been an incredibly stable government. No government in living memory has had the same cabinet and the same ministerial posts for its first two years in office,” Albanese said.
‘At the next election, I will aim to become the first Prime Minister since John Howard in 2004 to complete a term and be re-elected as Prime Minister.’