James Burke (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
James Patrick Burke is a former an Australia
n politician. He was an Australian Labor Party
member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
between 2005 and 2008, representing the electorate of Brennan
. James Burke is perhaps most famous for his shock defeat of his namesake (but no relation), the Opposition Leader Denis Burke, at the 2005 election
. Although even he had not expected to be victorious, he swept aside the incumbent member, and won what had been the CLP's safest seat with a swing of more than 20%.
James Burke was born in Port Moresby
, Papua New Guinea
in 1971. His family were due to move to Darwin
just after Christmas of 1974, but were delayed by the onset of Cyclone Tracy
, which virtually obliterated the city. The family eventually moved to Darwin in 1976. James studied politics and law at the University College of the Northern Territory (then part of the University of Queensland
), but switched to the equivalent course at the new Northern Territory University in 1989. He was involved in student politics throughout his time at university.
James was a founding member of the Darwin Youth Sister City Organisation (DYSCO), a community youth group within the Darwin City Council's Sister Cities programs. He was also a member of the Haikou Sister City Community Committee. In 1994, James was one of four students to go to Haikou, China on a 12 month exchange. He also assisted in the formation of the Ambon Youth Sister Cities Group.
James was employed in the Northern Territory Public Service from 1995 to 2000, in Territory Health Services then the Office of the Public Trustee. In addition, James served with the Army Reserves for approximately 3 years. James went to Melbourne
to pursue his legal career having been unable to secure a position with a local firm. He worked as a solicitor for 11 months with Gadens
Lawyers then approximately 3½ years with Maurice Blackburn Cashman
, before returning to the Territory in August 2004 to take up a position as Industrial Officer with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union
(LHMU).
He is married to Sharon McKenzie (now Sharon Burke) with a daughter Leesa, and sons Brandon and Flynn. James played soccer into his early 20s and coached an under 6 and under 15 side. James is Secretary of the Palmerston Football Club and continues to coach a Palmerston under 7s team.
On 9 August 2008, a general election for the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory was held, resulting in James Burke losing his seat of Brennan
to Peter Chandler
of the CLP.
Following this, James Burke worked as a solicitor for leading Darwin law firm, Ward Keller Lawyers in their Litigation Division.
In April 2009, James commenced working as an Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Hon. Paul Henderson working in his Palmerston Office.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician. He was an Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory is the unicameral parliament of the Northern Territory in Australia. It sits in Parliament House, located on State Square, close to the centre of the city of Darwin.-History:...
between 2005 and 2008, representing the electorate of Brennan
Electoral division of Brennan
Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin...
. James Burke is perhaps most famous for his shock defeat of his namesake (but no relation), the Opposition Leader Denis Burke, at the 2005 election
Northern Territory legislative election, 2005
A general election was held in the Northern Territory, Australia, on 18 June 2005. The centre-left Australian Labor Party, led by Chief Minister Clare Martin, won a second term with a landslide victory, winning six of the ten seats held by the opposition Country Liberal Party in the 25-member...
. Although even he had not expected to be victorious, he swept aside the incumbent member, and won what had been the CLP's safest seat with a swing of more than 20%.
James Burke was born in Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
in 1971. His family were due to move to Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
just after Christmas of 1974, but were delayed by the onset of Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974...
, which virtually obliterated the city. The family eventually moved to Darwin in 1976. James studied politics and law at the University College of the Northern Territory (then part of the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
), but switched to the equivalent course at the new Northern Territory University in 1989. He was involved in student politics throughout his time at university.
James was a founding member of the Darwin Youth Sister City Organisation (DYSCO), a community youth group within the Darwin City Council's Sister Cities programs. He was also a member of the Haikou Sister City Community Committee. In 1994, James was one of four students to go to Haikou, China on a 12 month exchange. He also assisted in the formation of the Ambon Youth Sister Cities Group.
James was employed in the Northern Territory Public Service from 1995 to 2000, in Territory Health Services then the Office of the Public Trustee. In addition, James served with the Army Reserves for approximately 3 years. James went to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
to pursue his legal career having been unable to secure a position with a local firm. He worked as a solicitor for 11 months with Gadens
Gadens
Gadens lawyers is an legal network consisting of seven independent member firms. The firm operates in the Australasia area, with member firms in every mainland state as well as Papua New Guinea...
Lawyers then approximately 3½ years with Maurice Blackburn Cashman
Maurice Blackburn Cashman
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers was founded in 1919 by distinguished lawyer Maurice Blackburn, who was also a Labor member of the Victorian and Federal parliaments...
, before returning to the Territory in August 2004 to take up a position as Industrial Officer with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union
United Voice, formerly known as the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union is a large Australian trade union, with around 130,000 members...
(LHMU).
He is married to Sharon McKenzie (now Sharon Burke) with a daughter Leesa, and sons Brandon and Flynn. James played soccer into his early 20s and coached an under 6 and under 15 side. James is Secretary of the Palmerston Football Club and continues to coach a Palmerston under 7s team.
On 9 August 2008, a general election for the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory was held, resulting in James Burke losing his seat of Brennan
Electoral division of Brennan
Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin...
to Peter Chandler
Peter Chandler (politician)
Peter Glen Chandler is an Australian politician. He is a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, and has held his seat of Brennan since his defeat of sitting Labor member James Burke in the 2008 election. He is currently the Shadow Minister for Natural...
of the CLP.
Following this, James Burke worked as a solicitor for leading Darwin law firm, Ward Keller Lawyers in their Litigation Division.
In April 2009, James commenced working as an Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Hon. Paul Henderson working in his Palmerston Office.