Josh Burns and Georgie Purcell share baby news
Victorian state MP Georgie Purcell, a member of the Animal Justice Party, has announced she and federal Labor MP Josh Burns are expecting a ‘vegan’ baby girl.
One of the country’s most unlikely and glamorous power couples have revealed they are expecting their first child together.
Victorian state MP Georgie Purcell, a member of the Animal Justice Party, has announced she and federal Labor MP Josh Burns are expecting a “vegan” baby girl early next year.
It comes as Mr Burns begins his third term representing the Melbourne electorate of Macnamara, while Ms Purcell prepares to defend her seat in Victoria’s upper house at next year’s state election.
Taking to social media, Ms Purcell, 33, admitted: “I know two members from two different parliaments having a baby is a bit unique, and there is bound to be interest in it.
“While we are indeed in public life, pregnancy is an incredibly personal experience, so I ask that we’re granted respect and privacy.”
The animal rights advocate also thanked her friends, family and staff for helping to keep the secret, which she says allowed the couple “to share on our own terms”.
The couple are 17 weeks into the pregnancy, which is complicated not only by the high-stress work both parents undertake in their respective parliaments, but also by Ms Purcell’s battle with an auto-immune disease that places her pregnancy “in the high-risk category”.
“It’s weekly hospital visits for the time being, and I am so grateful to the incredibly kind, reassuring and supportive medical care I’ve been receiving,” she said.
While the baby girl will be Ms Purcell’s first child, Mr Burns, 38, has a seven-year-old daughter with ex-wife Zoe.
“We’re a blended family already and my beautiful daughter is super excited to be getting a sister,” he said.
The couple turned heads at last year’s Mid Winter Ball in Canberra, which followed months of speculation about their relationship.
Ms Purcell, whose colourful outfits, range of tattoos, and news-grabbing animal rights stunts have long helped her stand out on Spring Street, also sits with a different party to partner Josh, a rising star in federal Labor.
Mr Burns said he’ll “keep working hard for the community we love, but I also plan on being a present and involved dad every step of the way”.
“I’m over the moon excited and can’t wait for this next chapter with my beautiful partner, Georgie, who I love with all my heart,” he said.
The news attracted well wishes from across state and federal politics, with teal MP and doctor Monique Ryan leading the charge.
“So happy for you two. Paediatric advice is always available from an electorate quite nearby,” she commented on Instagram.
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