Georgie Purcell

Georgie Purcell
MLC
Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Northern Victoria
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 November 2022
Preceded byTania Maxwell
Personal details
Born (1992-07-13) 13 July 1992 (age 32)[1][2]
Political partyAnimal Justice
Alma materDeakin University
Websitewww.georgiepurcell.com.au

Georgie Purcell (born 13 July 1992) is an Australian politician. She is a member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing Northern Victoria since November 2022. Purcell is a member of the Animal Justice Party.

Early life and education

Purcell is a former lawyer and holds a double degree in law and communications/politics.[3][4]

She worked part-time as a stripper, a pole dancer, and a topless waitress while studying at university, but sought to keep it secret from her peers. She resigned these jobs after it was made public without her permission, leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.[5]

Early career

Following completion of her studies, she worked as a digital campaigner at United Voice (now United Workers Union), a communications adviser at Industry Super Australia, and as Chief of Staff to Andy Meddick prior to being elected to the Victorian Parliament.[6][7][8]

Parliament

Purcell was elected fourth of five members for Northern Victoria in the 2022 Victorian state election, representing the Animal Justice Party.[2][9][10]

She believes that her work experience while studying has given her strong skills in dealing with difficult people. She also has the "cliche combo" of being a lawyer and former union official.[2]

In January 2024, Purcell criticised Nine News Melbourne for using a digitally altered image of her with "enlarged boobs" and an exposed midriff, which were not present in the original image, citing it as an example of discrimination and "the constant sexualisation and objectification" of women.[11] Nine News Melbourne director Hugh Nailon stated that "the automation by Photoshop created an image that was not consistent with the original", and apologised to Purcell.[12] Adobe refuted the claim that the photo was automatically edited, with a spokesperson saying: "Any changes to this image would have required human intervention and approval".[13]

Personal life

Purcell has been previously married, and as of July 2024, she is in a new relationship with federal Labor Party MP Josh Burns.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Happiest of birthdays to the one and only GPMP! This year has been huge, you have already achieved so much. Victoria is kinder to animals, and politics just a touch more real because of you. Proud of you every day mate, and so excited for the year to come. Love, team GPMP". Facebook. Georgie Purcell - Animal Justice Party MP. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Hales, Holly. "New Victorian MP Georgie Purcell reveals how being a stripper helps her in politics". news.com.au. News Corp. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Georgie Purcell MP". Animal Justice Party. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  4. ^ Webb, Sarah. "Georgie Purcell is changing the face of politics". Nourish. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  5. ^ Ross, Isabella. "MP Georgie Purcell once stripped to fund her studies. Then her photos were shared on Facebook". Mama Mia. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  6. ^ "About Georgie". Georgie Purcell MP. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Ms Georgie Purcell". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  8. ^ Huitson, Joseph. "Animal Justice Party's Georgie Purcell opens up about 'colourful past' as a stripper as she details horrific abuse received". Sky News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  9. ^ Eddie, Rachel (14 December 2022). "Left-wing parties to hold sway in upper house as Greens quadruple seats". The Age. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Georgie Purcell | Parliament of Victoria". new.parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  11. ^ Kolovos, Benita; Taylor, Josh (30 January 2024). "Victorian MP Georgie Purcell criticises Nine News for 'sexist' image editing to make outfit more revealing". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Statement from Director of 9News Melbourne". Nine News. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  13. ^ Kolovos, Benita; Taylor, Josh (30 January 2024). "Adobe refutes 9News Melbourne statement". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  14. ^ Ferri, Lauren (3 July 2024). "Pollies dress up for annual federal press gallery Midwinter Ball for charity". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.