An “inspiration” was how Bill Shorten described the first Aboriginal woman elected to Australia’s House of Representatives.
The Opposition Leader said he saw “a story of hope” when he looked at the new official portrait of Labor MP Linda Burney, which was unveiled at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday morning.
“As a little girl she was taught, in her words, that she was descended from people who are as close to the stone age as possible,” Mr Shorten said.
“The fact that it has taken 119 years to unveil a portrait of an Aboriginal woman as a member of parliament is embarrassing.”
The member for Barton’s portrait, painted by New South Wales artist Jude Rae, was commissioned for Parliament’s Historic Memorials Collection in recognition of her election.
Labor MP Linda Burney shares a moment with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Source: APH
It will hang alongside other paintings of significant firsts in Australia’s parliament including the first woman elected, Dame Enid Lyons; and the first Indigenous man elected, Senator Neville Bonner.
Ms Burney said she was “humbled” by the portrait unveiling.
"This is not just about a portrait of me, this is about those who have come before me and those who will come after,” she said.
"Young men and women from both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal backgrounds understand what that election means."
