Federal Member of Parliament Josh Burns and Victorian MP Georgie Purcell have welcomed the arrival of their daughter, Lilah Poppy Purcell, who was born on December 19, 2023. The couple shared the news via social media, revealing that Lilah weighed 2.56 kg at birth.
Burns, representing the Labor Party for the federal seat of Macnamara in inner-Melbourne, and Purcell, a member of the Animal Justice Party serving northern Victoria in the state’s upper house, noted that their daughter’s name carries a subtle nod to their political affiliations. The name Lilah, which means lilac, is associated with the color of the Animal Justice Party, while Poppy, a red flower, symbolizes the Labor Party.
Significance of Lilah’s Arrival
Purcell expressed her delight, stating that Lilah’s early arrival at 37 weeks and five days was unexpected but welcomed. “Lilah is definitely proving to be my daughter – she is a little impatient, insisting on bursting into the world sooner than we were expecting,” she said in a statement. “But she came at a time that was so desperately needed for our little family.”
Reflecting on her new role as a mother, Purcell added, “Becoming a mum was never part of my plan, but in just a few short days she has shown me that I simply couldn’t imagine a life without her.” She emphasized that Lilah serves as a daily reminder of the importance of making decisions that will impact future generations.
As Purcell prepares for a brief hiatus from her duties, she sees Lilah as the inspiration needed to return to parliament and advocate for a fairer and kinder world in the upcoming election.
Balancing Personal and Public Life
Burns, who is among Labor’s prominent Jewish MPs, shared his mixed emotions following the recent Bondi terror attack, which affected his community deeply. “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,” he remarked.
He acknowledged the devastating nature of the events from last week, stating, “It highlighted to us that we have so much more to do to make Jews feel safe in their own country.” Burns also has an older daughter named Tia, from a previous marriage, and expressed his determination to raise both daughters with pride in their Jewish heritage.
The couple first made their public debut at the 2024 Midwinter Ball in Canberra, where they garnered attention not only for their political roles but also for their personal lives. They announced their pregnancy on social media, highlighting that Purcell was receiving weekly medical checks due to her autoimmune condition, which classified her as high-risk during the pregnancy.
Public interest in their relationship has been significant, given Purcell’s advocacy for Palestinian recognition and the differing political backgrounds of the couple. Purcell has indicated her intention to return to her parliamentary duties when sessions resume in February and confirmed she will seek re-election in the November 2026 state election.
As they embark on this new chapter, Burns and Purcell’s commitment to their family and their respective political duties remains steadfast, with the birth of Lilah symbolizing both personal joy and renewed motivation in their public lives.
