Josh Burns (Macnamara, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday, in Sydney's Great Synagogue, we said farewell to a good man taken far too soon. I admired Joshua Levi very much and was proud to call him a friend. Josh was a fine journalist who rose through the ranks of The Australian Jewish News from a reporter to become its CEO. Josh understood the power of a story but also the importance of journalistic integrity. Josh's pursuit of justice for victims of child sex abuse was unflinching. He stared down pressure and threats, including legal ones, and was still fighting for victims until the very end.

Josh was funny, charismatic and kind, and he had an infectious laugh. He loved to talk, and everyone loved to talk to him. I will cherish our conversations about politics and life. Josh told me how excited he was to become a father, and it is desperately unfair that he was only able to become one for just three short weeks. So, to baby Lara: your dad loved you, and we are all heartbroken that you won't get to grow up knowing the wonderful man that your father was. I know he will always be looking after you from above.

My thoughts are with his family and friends, especially his parents, Ann and Ian; his brother and sister-in-law, Ben and Mel; and most of all, his wife, Lia, who brought so much joy to his life. Rest in peace, my friend.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!