Joy Burch

Joy Marie Burch is an Australian former politician who served as a Labor member of the ACT Legislative Assembly for Brindabella from 2008 to 2024. She served in various ministerial portfolios between 2009 and 2016 and Speaker of the Assembly from 2016 to 2024.

Prior to being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Burch was a registered nurse. She worked for several years as a community nurse across southern NSW and the ACT.

Burch lived for several years in Alice Springs, as the executive director of the Australian Rural Health Education Network, as executive director of the Northern Territory Remote Workforce Agency and as the CEO of the Rural Health and Community Support Services. She also was the owner and operator of a Childcare Centre.

Burch has formal tertiary education, with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, and Post-Graduate qualifications in Health Administration and Information Systems Management.

Burch was first elected to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly in the Brindabella electorate at the 2008 election.^[1][2] Upon entering the Assembly, Burch was appointed Government Whip, Assistant Speaker and ALP Caucus Secretary.^[3]

A year later, Burch was appointed to Cabinet. Over the next seven years, she held a number of Ministerial positions, including:^[3]

• Minister for Education and Training (November 2012 – January 2016)

• Minister for Police and Emergency Services (December 2014 – December 2015)

• Minister for Disability (November 2012 – January 2016)

• Minister for Racing and Gaming (May 2011 – January 2016)

• Minister for Arts (May 2011 – January 2016)

• Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Affairs (May 2011 – October 2012)

• Minister for Ageing (November 2009 – October 2012)

• Minister for Children and Young People (November 2012 – July 2014)

• Minister for Community Services (November 2009 – October 2012)

• Minister for Multicultural Affairs (November 2009 – January 2015)

• Minister for Women (November 2009 – January 2015)

She was re-elected at the 2012 election.^[4]

Burch se vio envuelta en una controversia cuando se alegó que su jefe de gabinete informó al Sindicato de la Construcción, Silvicultura, Marítimo, Minería y Energía (CFMEU) sobre asuntos relacionados con la Policía del Territorio de la Capital Australiana (ACT) , los cuales aún están bajo investigación. ^{[ 5 ] [ 6 ]} Renunció como Ministra de Policía y Servicios de Emergencia en diciembre de 2015, antes de renunciar a todos los demás cargos ministeriales un mes después, en enero de 2016. Posteriormente, se convirtió en Vicepresidenta del Parlamento y Jefa de la Disciplina Parlamentaria del Gobierno.

Burch fue reelegida en las elecciones de 2016 y posteriormente fue elegida Presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa del ACT. ^{[ 7 ]} y fue elegida Presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa del Territorio de la Capital Australiana . ^{[ 8 ]}

Burch fue reelegida en las elecciones del Territorio de la Capital Australiana de 2020 , obteniendo el mayor número de votos de todos los candidatos en la circunscripción de Brindabella y logrando un importante repunte en su apoyo. Fue reelegida presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa del Territorio de la Capital Australiana para la décima legislatura.

Burch es miembro de la facción de la Coalición del Centro ( Derecha Laborista ). ^{[ 9 ]}

Burch está casada, tiene tres hijos y vive en Tuggeranong. Entre sus aficiones se encuentran pasar tiempo con su familia, participar en eventos comunitarios y hacer voluntariado, nadar, la jardinería, caminar, leer y escuchar música. ^{[ 3 ]}