James Burke (Australian politician)

James Burke (Australian politician)

James Patrick Burke (born February 4, 1971) was an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly between 2005 and 2008, representing the electorate of Brennan. Burke is perhaps most famous for his shock defeat of then-Country Liberal Party Opposition Leader Denis Burke at the 2005 election. Although even he had not expected to have any chance of victory, he swept aside the incumbent member, and won what had been the CLP's safest seat with a swing of more than 20%.

He lost his seat of Brennan in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly general election held on 9 August 2008 to Country Liberal Party candidate Peter Chandler.

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. Burke 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. 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, 17, son Brandon, 3 years. Their third child Flynn, was born in September in 2005. James’ sister, mother and grandfather live in Darwin. James played soccer into his early 20s and coached an under 6 and under 15 side. In addition, James served with the Army Reserves for approximately 3 years.

External links

* [http://brennanelectorate.com/ Official site]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • James Burke — may refer to: *James Burke (science historian) (born 1936), British author and TV producer *James Burke (boxer) (1809 ndash;1845), English *James E. Burke (born 1925), CEO of Johnson Johnson *James F. Burke (1867 1932), United States… …   Wikipedia

  • Denis Burke (Australian politician) — Denis Burke 6th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Preceded by Shane Stone Succeeded by Clare Martin Constituency Brennan Personal details Born …   Wikipedia

  • Kevin Andrews (Australian politician) — Infobox Politician honorific prefix = The Honourable name = Kevin Andrews honorific suffix =BA, LLB (Melb), LLM (Monash) |thumb|250px | caption = Kevin Andrews MP birth date =Birth date and age|1955|11|9|df=y birth place =Sale, Victoria death… …   Wikipedia

  • Burke (name) — Burke is an Irish Gaelic surname originating with de Burca from the Anglo Normans. In English, the name means fortified hill . Variants include de Burgo , Burgh , and De Burgh . Burke is an uncommon given name. People with the name Burke include …   Wikipedia

  • Burke — may refer to:PlacesAustralia* Shire of Burke, Queensland, a Local Government Areas in Australia * Division of Burke has been the name of an Australian Electoral Division twice * Bourke, New South Wales, a town (pronounced Burke )Canada* Burke… …   Wikipedia

  • James Francis (disambiguation) — James Francis may refer to:*James Goodall Francis (1819 1884), Australian colonial politician *James Bicheno Francis (1815 1892), British American Engineer *James Francis (American football), former linebacker in the NFL *Jim Francis, Australian… …   Wikipedia

  • McCAY, Sir James Whiteside (1864-1930) — politician and soldier son of the Rev. A. R. Boyd McCay, was born at Ballynure, Ireland, on 21 December 1864. His mother was a woman of remarkable ability. He was brought to Victoria by his father, who became the Presbyterian minister at… …   Dictionary of Australian Biography

  • List of convicted Australian criminals — This is a list of Australian people who have been convicted of serious crimes.Bank robbersAustralians convicted of bank robbery*Brenden Abbott, aka The Postcard Bandit [ [http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2003/s978408.htm The Usual Suspect] …   Wikipedia

  • John Bowler (politician) — Infobox MLA | name =John Bowler imagesize = 150px nationality =Australian order = term start =10 February 2001 term end = deputy = predecessor =Julian Grill successor = birth date =22 September 1949 birth place =Kalgoorlie, Western Australia… …   Wikipedia

  • WILSON, Sir James Milne (1812-1880) — premier of Tasmania was born at Banff, Scotland, on 29 February 1812, the third son of John Wilson, a shipowner. Educated at Banff and Edinburgh, he emigrated to Tasmania in 1829, studied practical engineering and afterwards became a ship s… …   Dictionary of Australian Biography

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”