Joy Burch

Joy Marie Burch is an Australian former politician who served as a Labor member of the ACT Legislative Assembly for Brindabella from 2008 to 2024. She served in various ministerial portfolios between 2009 and 2016 and Speaker of the Assembly from 2016 to 2024.

Biography Prior to being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Burch was a registered nurse. She worked for several years as a community nurse across southern NSW and the ACT.

Burch lived for several years in Alice Springs, as the executive director of the Australian Rural Health Education Network, as executive director of the Northern Territory Remote Workforce Agency and as the CEO of the Rural Health and Community Support Services. She also was the owner and operator of a Childcare Centre.

Burch has formal tertiary education, with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, and Post-Graduate qualifications in Health Administration and Information Systems Management.

Political career Burch was first elected to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly in the Brindabella electorate at the 2008 election. Upon entering the Assembly, Burch was appointed Government Whip, Assistant Speaker and ALP Caucus Secretary.

Burch faced controversy when it was alleged that her chief of staff briefed the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) on matters regarding ACT Policing which are still under investigation. She resigned as Minister for Police and Emergency Services in December 2015 before resigning from all other ministerial positions a month later in January 2016. She then became Deputy Speaker and Government Whip.

Burch was again re-elected at the 2016 election, and was subsequently elected Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly. and she was elected Speaker of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly.

Burch was again re-elected at the 2020 Australian Capital Territory election, receiving the highest vote of any candidate in the Brindabella Electorate, and obtaining a significant swing towards her. She was re-elected Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly for the tenth parliament.

Burch is a member of the Centre Coalition (Labor Right) faction.

Personal life Burch is married with three sons and lives in Tuggeranong. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, community events and volunteering, swimming, gardening, walking, reading, and listening to music.