Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Connie Johnson: a fearless, warm, generous, courageous woman, who, in the face of tremendous adversity, was an inspiration to people right across Australia. Connie inspired us to be aware of our bodies. Connie inspired us to be aware of any changes to our bodies. Her message to women in Australia—right across Australia—was simple: 'Don't fall into the booby trap. Be breast aware.' So, if there's one thing that we can take from her tragic passing, so young, is the fact that we've got to carry on this message. We have to carry on this message to not fall into the booby trap and to be breast aware. Australians, check your breasts regularly, and tell every single woman you know to do the same.

Connie took the fight to cancer and set up the Love Your Sister foundation with the help of her brother, Sam. The foundation has raised $5½ million for cancer research. And, during this journey, she became a world record holder through her Big Heart Project. She inspired the Canberra community to donate, and raised over $2 million for cancer research by making the biggest heart from 5c pieces.

Connie's legacy was recently honoured by the Governor-General when he presented her with the Medal of the Order of Australia. We have to keep Connie's legacy alive. I encourage everyone to donate to the Love Your Sister charity. Vale, Connie Johnson. You were such a shining light, and you will be sorely, sorely missed by all Australians.