Kezia Purick

Kezia Dorcas Tibisay Purick (born 12 May 1958) is an Australian politician. She is an independent member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, having held her seat of Goyder since the 2008 election. Prior to entering Parliament, Purick was the CEO of the NT Minerals Council for 16 years.

The position of Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly has been held by Purick since 23 October 2012. Despite Labor's massive majority following the outcome of the 2016 election, the incoming government re-appointed Purick as Speaker.

Early life and education

Purick was born in Brisbane, Queensland. She was educated in Western Australia at Methodist Ladies' College, Perth. She graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.^[1]

She worked for St John Ambulance Australia from 1985 until 1991, when she became CEO of the NT Minerals Council.^[1]

Political career

Purick was elected to parliament representing the Country Liberal Party (CLP). She was shadow minister for Major Projects, Trade and Economic Development, Planning and Lands, Housing, Statehood and Women's Policy in the Territory opposition from 2008 to 2012.^[2] In addition, she was deputy leader of the CLP, and therefore deputy leader of the opposition.

Prior to the 2012 election, party leader Terry Mills indicated that should the party win government, Purick would remain as his deputy, and would be Deputy Chief Minister. The parliamentary wing of the party overrode Mills' preference, and Purick was replaced as deputy by Robyn Lambley, and given no ministerial roles in the cabinet.^[3]

When the parliament resumed on 23 October 2012, Purick was elected unopposed as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.^[4] As Speaker, Purick is chairman of the House Committee, a member of the Standing Orders and Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committees and is the chairman of the select committee enquiring into foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

On 20 July 2015, Purick announced that she was quitting the CLP because of her annoyance at the lack of integrity within the government and government's lack of communication with elected CLP members. She said she would continue to sit in parliament as an independent and wanted to remain as Speaker. She undertook not to support any motion of no-confidence against the government. On 11 September 2016, the newly elected Labor Government announced that it would continue to support Purick holding the role of Speaker in the newly elected Legislative Assembly.^[5]

On 17 November 2015, Attorney-General John Elferink moved a motion to suspend standing orders to debate removing Purick from the Speaker's role, citing what he claimed were partial comments she had posted on Facebook regarding government-funded advertising about anti-ice legislation. On the morning of 18 November, the CLP and independent Larisa Lee passed Elferink's motion to spill the speakership role, however when the ballot to elect a new speaker was held, Labor and Delia Lawrie re-nominated Purick to stand against the CLP nominee Matt Conlan. An unknown CLP member "crossed the floor" to vote for Purick and she was re-elected 13 votes to 12.^[6]

The position of Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly has been held by Purick since 23 October 2012. Despite Labor's massive majority following the outcome of the 2016 election, the incoming government re-appointed Purick as Speaker.^[7]

Personal life

Purick is the daughter of former politician Noel Padgham, who was a member of the assembly from 1977 to 1997. Her father, Phillip Purich, was an appointed member for the Legislative Council in the 1960s. Born in the Netherlands, his family was originally from the Dalmatia region of Croatia.^[8][9]

References