Labour MP Josh Burns has announced he will take an extended period of leave from federal parliament to become the primary carer for his newborn daughter, as his partner prepares to contest a state election.
A Shared Responsibility: Politics and Parenthood
In a candid interview on ABC's Politics Now podcast, the federal member for Macnamara outlined his plans to step back from his duties in Canberra. This decision comes as his partner, Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, gears up to re-contest her seat in the Victorian Legislative Council. The couple welcomed their daughter, Lilah, on December 23.
'I will be doing a lot of looking after our beautiful daughter, and I will be making sure that I can help support Georgie be a member of parliament too,' Burns stated. He emphasised that childcare is a shared duty, saying, 'This is not her responsibility, it's ours.'
Burns, who plays a key role in shaping Labour's housing policy, admitted the challenge ahead. 'I'm stressed about how I'm going to manage it because it's really hard… but I'll find a way to make it work,' he confessed, determined not to miss his daughter's early years.
Prime Minister's Support and a Changing Parliament
Burns revealed he discussed his decision with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was 'really generous' in his response. According to Burns, the PM reflected on his own experience raising a son while married to former NSW Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt.
'He told me he understood because he'd been through something similar,' Burns shared. 'He said it was hard, but the kind of parliament we want is one that makes this possible.'
Burns is confident that extended parental leave will soon become routine in politics, thanks to a new generation of MPs. 'It's not just 60-year-old blokes anymore, which is a wonderful thing,' he remarked. He expressed a hope to one day bring his daughter to Parliament, making the institution work around family life.
Confronting Antisemitism and Moving Forward
During the same podcast episode, recorded before the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, Burns also addressed the personal toll of rising antisemitism in Australia. He recounted a distressing incident in June 2024, when vandals targeted his Melbourne office.
'It was one of the darkest days,' Burns said of the attack, which saw windows smashed, fires lit, and the phrase 'Zionism is fascism' spray-painted across his photograph. He described the event as 'difficult and distressing,' but noted the profound impact of the support he received from the Jewish community and others.
As he prepares for his period of extended paternity leave in 2026, Burns's move signals a shifting culture within Australian politics, where the demands of public service and family life are increasingly being reconciled.
