Federal Member of Parliament Josh Burns and Victorian MP Georgie Purcell welcomed the birth of their daughter, Lilah Poppy Purcell, on December 19, 2023. The couple announced the arrival via social media, sharing that Lilah weighed 2.56 kg at birth. The naming of their daughter subtly reflects their political affiliations, with “Lilah,” symbolizing a lilac flower and associated with the Animal Justice Party, while “Poppy” represents the red flower linked to the Labor Party.
Family and Political Reflections
Purcell expressed the joy and urgency of Lilah’s early arrival, noting that she was born at 37 weeks and five days. “Lilah is definitely proving to be my daughter – she is a little impatient, insisting on bursting into the world sooner than we were expecting,” Purcell stated. “But she came at a time that was so desperately needed for our little family.” The new mother candidly shared that motherhood was not part of her original plan, yet she has quickly grown to cherish her daughter. “In just a few short days, she has shown me that I simply couldn’t imagine a life without her,” she added.
Purcell sees her daughter as a source of inspiration, stating, “As I take a short break from work, she is the inspiration I need to return to parliament and an election next year to fight for a fairer, kinder world.” She plans to return to her duties when parliament resumes in February and will seek re-election in the November 2026 state election.
Community and Personal Impact
Burns, who represents the federal seat of Macnamara in inner-Melbourne, has faced a tumultuous week, responding to the tragic Bondi terror attack. He expressed a mix of emotions, stating, “My heart will always stay with my community who are in mourning, but I’m also feeling so grateful for the arrival of Lilah. She is already loved completely and I am so excited for the future with her in our lives.”
Burns emphasized the importance of community safety for Jewish Australians, noting, “The events of last week were utterly devastating to not only my community but to Australia more broadly. It highlighted to us that we have so much more to do to make Jews feel safe in their own country.”
The couple also has a daughter, Tia, from Burns’s previous marriage. He expressed his commitment to raising both daughters with pride in their Jewish heritage, ensuring they can express it openly and safely in Australia.
Burns and Purcell made their public debut at the 2024 Midwinter Ball in Canberra, where they celebrated their relationship and shared their journey. They announced their pregnancy on social media, revealing that Purcell was undergoing weekly medical checks due to her autoimmune condition, which categorized her as high-risk during the pregnancy.
Both MPs have acknowledged public interest in their relationship, particularly given Purcell’s advocacy for Palestinian recognition and their differing political affiliations. Despite these differences, their shared commitment to their family and public service remains strong as they navigate both personal and political landscapes.
