The Coalition extends its sympathy to the family and friends of Senator Linda White, following her untimely passing.
We also extend our sympathy to Senator White’s staff, those who worked with her, her colleagues across the union movement and the Labor Party.
Elected to the Senate in 2022, in Senator White’s short time as a Senator for the state of Victoria, she made her presence felt as a champion of social and economic justice.
Senator White brought to the Senate a long experience as a union delegate and elected union official, including as Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Services Union where she played an integral role in the 2012 equal pay case for 200,000 non-government social and community services workers. Her earlier career as a lawyer brought her to advocate for victim/survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
In her first speech, Senator White made a promise that no-one in the Senate would be left wondering what she thought; that people will always know where she stands and know that she is not afraid of saying what’s on her mind.
Senator White lived up to that promise. Linda was never one to take a backwards step and was a determined advocate for her beliefs. She campaigned across a wide range of areas reflecting her deep life-long commitment to social justice, especially for women. This included a focus on the gap between the retirement savings of women and men which, she highlighted, was far greater than the gender pay gap, and the National Redress Scheme for victim/survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
As Chair of the Joint Select Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Linda played a critical role in scrutinising this important legislation and was instrumental in working with Senators and Members of the House across all parties as well as independents to deliver a unanimous report. This is quite an achievement. Linda was also the Chair of the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee which she did to the highest standard in the very best traditions of the Senate.
Senator White was a strong believer in Australia’s democracy. In her maiden speech she noted the fragility of democracy and the importance of the role that all Senators and politicians play in restoring the public’s trust in the political process. Part of this she noted was a willingness to be able to consider turning points in our own thinking. As she said: ‘We might not agree with each other or those who are advocating to us, but not listening is always a mistake.’
The Senate has lost a determined and passionate sitting Senator far too soon. A Senator who clearly had much more to contribute, but who will be remembered with respect by those who had the privilege to serve with her.
Again, we extend our deepest sympathies to Senator White’s family, friends and the wider Labor movement.