Tony Burke

Tony Burke has represented inner-south-west Sydney since 2004 and is Labor's chief tactician in the House of Representatives. As Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations he delivered the *Secure Jobs, Better Pay* Act (2022), the *Closing Loopholes* reforms (2023-24) and a historic 15 % pay rise for aged-care workers. Burke previously held the Agriculture, Water, Environment and Arts portfolios in the Rudd-Gillard era, establishing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the network of Commonwealth marine parks. A graduate of Sydney University law, Burke's early career spanned union organising and corporate affairs for Music NSW, foreshadowing his current role overseeing the National Cultural Policy *Revive* (2023-2027).