Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney has spoken candidly about suffering a mini-stroke and surgery to repair a hole in her heart.
The Labor Secretary revealed her concerns about private healthcare ahead of the official launch of the ‘Indigenous Voice to Parliament Yes’ vote on Wednesday, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to announce the date for the October referendum.
The fear for her health led to a change in her voice, leading to increasing speculation and criticism about apparent speech problems.
Ms Burney had surgery to repair the hole in her heart in 2020 and insists there are “absolutely no problems” with her health three years later.
Linda Burney (pictured) suffered a transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke
“What that’s done to me, and I think that’s why there’s a little bit of a whisper going on, is that aside from getting older, it’s changed my voice,” she shared. Nine newspapers.
Ms Burney initially claimed the voice change was a side effect ‘not uncommon in heart surgery where I actually get too much oxygen into my lungs which then affects the way I speak’.
She has since clarified that the changes were likely a side effect of medication, after cardiologists said a hole in the heart surgery does not lead to speech changes.
Ms Burney also misremembered other key details, including which arm was affected and the date it happened in 2020, while she was in federal opposition.
She was hospitalized after suffering a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.
It’s when blood can’t reach all parts of your brain for a short period of time, causing a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke.
A person cannot drive for two weeks after having a TIA.
Unlike a stroke, the condition does not permanently affect how well you can walk, move, swallow, think, talk or see, according to Stroke Foundation Australia.
Mrs. Burney was cleaning up after a dinner party when she fell and smashed a stack of plates.
“When I woke up the next morning I wasn’t feeling well and my right hand was… I could use it, I could use it really well, but it didn’t feel so normal,” she recalls.
Ms Burney underwent a day procedure to repair a hole in her heart a month later.
She kept her health battle private, but has decided to open up about the ordeal to address growing speculation about her vote change, which has sparked ridicule and vile racist comments online.
Ms Burney’s performance in parliament has also come under fire from political rivals, as Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley labeled her “most incompetent” and “not up to the task”.
Linda Burney (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) had to undergo surgery to repair the hole in her heart after suffering a mini-stroke
Linda Burney insists her health problems had no impact on parliamentary duties three years ago
“Obviously people are talking about it, so I wanted to be very clear to the public about what happened and where I stand,” she said.
Ms Burney added that apart from relearning fine motor skills, her condition had no impact on her parliamentary duties.
The minister is expected to shed more light on other aspects of her private life when she appears on ABC’s Kitchen Cabinet on Tuesday night.
Ms Burney has opened up about her private health struggles as the Yes campaign faces an uphill battle to convince Australians to vote for the Voice.
Albanese will have to convince at least 1.7 million undecided voters to win the Voice referendum, according to leaked documents.
Volunteers for the Yes campaign will target women, youth, multicultural communities and soft voters to reverse unfavorable polling trends.
The latest polling figures show the Voice to Parliament is on track to be defeated, with the referendum expected to take place on 14 October.