Kezia Purick


Kezia Dorcas Tibisay Purick is an Australian politician. She was an independent member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, first elected in the seat of Goyder in the 2008 election. Prior to entering Parliament, Purick was the CEO of the NT Minerals Council for 16 years. Originally elected as a member of the Country Liberal Party, she became an independent in 2015.
She served as Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since the CLP's victory in the 2012 Territory election, a post she retained after leaving the CLP. Following Territory Labor's landslide victory at the 2016 Territory election, the new Labor government retained Purick as Speaker. She resigned as speaker on 23 June 2020.

Early life and education

Purick was born in Brisbane, Queensland. She was educated initially in Darwin for Primary School then in Western Australia at Methodist Ladies' College, Perth. She graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.
She worked for St John Ambulance Australia from 1985 until 1991, when she became CEO of the NT Minerals Council.

Political career

Corruption findings

In June 2020, the Northern Territory's Independent Commissioner Against Corruption found that Purick had engaged in "corrupt conduct" by attempting to interfere in the registration of a political party by the previous chief minister Terry Mills. She resigned as Speaker shortly afterwards. At the 2020 election, her popularity was undiminished and she won the seat of Goyder comfortably despite having 8 candidates run against her. On 15 February 2024 she has announced she will not be recontesting her seat at the next election.

Personal life

Purick is one of six children and the daughter of former politician Noel Padgham, who was a member of the assembly from 1977 to 1997. Her father, Phillip Purich, was an appointed member for the Legislative Council in the 1960s. Born in Amsterdam, his family was originally from the Dalmatia region of Croatia.