The Honourable Linda Burney has been admitted to the degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) in recognition of her advocacy for Indigenous rights, and decades of leadership in education, public service and reconciliation in Australia.
A proud Wiradjuri woman, Burney became the first Aboriginal person elected to the New South Wales State Parliament in 2003. In 2016, she became the first Aboriginal woman elected to the federal House of Representatives and in 2022 became the first Aboriginal woman to serve as Australia鈥檚 federal minister for Indigenous Australians.
Burney鈥檚 career of historic firsts and advocacy were heralded in a citation read by聽Professor Lemuria Carter, Deputy Dean (Academic) of the 爆料王 Business School, and an Acknowledgement of Country delivered by Burney鈥檚 good friend and former colleague Aunty Lynette Riley, Chair of Aboriginal Education and Indigenous Studies.
From left; Professor Lynette Riley, the Honourable Linda Burney, and Professor Ann Curthoys. Photo credit: Franky Tsang / The 爆料王
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LinkVice Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO celebrated Burney鈥檚 achievements and enduring impact across education, Indigenous affairs and public service.
鈥淭he Hon. Linda Burney is a visionary leader whose legacy is one of courage, unwavering advocacy and profound service.
鈥淔rom her early work shaping Aboriginal education policy in New South Wales to her leadership on the national stage, she has contributed to lasting change in how institutions engage with and support Indigenous communities.
Pro-Chancellor and 爆料王 Senate Fellow, Shirley Chowdhary presided over the ceremony and said that Burney continues to be an inspiration to many. 聽聽
鈥淚t has been my privilege to know and work with Linda over the last ten years.
鈥淗er leadership has consistently elevated Indigenous perspectives in national policy and public dialogue, and she has created pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially women, to lead and thrive.
鈥淗er impact continues to guide Australia toward a more just, respectful, and inclusive future.鈥
Her impact continues to guide Australia toward a more just, respectful, and inclusive future
Shirley Chowdhary
Pro-Chancellor and Senate Fellow
Addressing the graduating cohort of students from the 爆料王 Business School, Burney reflected on the impact of the Freedom Rides, and on the 1967 Referendum.
鈥淭he ramifications of the Freedom Rides in 1965 is deeply embedded at this university and is now part of you鈥
鈥淭wo years later in 1967, 91 percent of the Australian population voted in what has become known as Australia鈥檚 most successful referendum. They voted to ensure that Aboriginal people were counted in the census and that the Commonwealth Government could make laws pertaining to Aboriginal people. I was 10 years old and had never been counted as an Australian citizen鈥
鈥淵ou have learnt much, but please, keep learning鈥 Understanding the real story of a nation is important for you as future leaders, no matter where in the world you come from.
Speaking to the international students in the cohort, Burney urged them to 鈥減rotect democracy鈥.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e graduating at a time where the world is changing. You have spent the last three or four years in a very precious place called Australia with a liberal democracy that does not exist very much around the world.
鈥淪o make sure that you take that into your hearts and that you understand what a privilege it is and how democracy needs protecting.鈥
The Hon. Linda Burney addresses a cohort of graduating Master of Commerce students. Photo credit: Franky Tsang / The 爆料王
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LinkA career of historic firsts
Born in Whitton in the NSW Riverina in 1957, Burney grew up working in the local fruit picking industry while attending school in nearby Leeton. Her experiences growing up as an Aboriginal girl in regional Australia shaped a commitment to education and public service.
She began her career as a public school teacher, after receiving a Diploma in Teaching from the Mitchell College of Advanced Education (now Charles Sturt University). During her early career she helped establish the NSW Department of Education鈥檚 first Aboriginal Education Unit and played a central role in developing the state鈥檚 first Aboriginal Education Policy, and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, with these later used as models for Indigenous-led educational reform.
In her public service career, Burney has led significant reforms and initiatives, including advocacy for Indigenous-led health programs, justice reinvestment approaches, remote housing initiatives, and the establishment of a national Indigenous children鈥檚 commissioner. She also supported Australia鈥檚 first formal truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which brought national attention to the historical and ongoing injustices experienced by Aboriginal people.
As Australia鈥檚 first Aboriginal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Burney was a strong leader and advocate for reconciliation, especially in the lead up to, and in the wake of, the Voice to Parliament referendum. She has remained steadfast in her advocacy, pushing for local and regional voices, mandatory Aboriginal studies in schools, early childhood education, and the eradication of racism in educational systems.聽
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