Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to make a contribution today for this condolence motion. Victoria, Australia and the Senate have all lost a great friend today. Today we remember Linda as a passionate advocate for social justice, the labour movement and the Labor causes that she held so dear to her heart. Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to work on any of the committees with Linda, which I regret. But only in this place, too often, do we not find the time to get to know our colleagues either on the same side of the chamber or across the chamber. But I would say I think there's some solace that the staff here today can take in that the contributions that have been made across the chamber reflect the respect for Linda White, who was held in very high regard in this place.

Linda spent her whole working life looking out for others. After a decade of law at Maurice Blackburn, Linda would spend 25 years as Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Services Union. During the infamous Ansett collapse, there was our warrior, Linda White, at the forefront, protecting and fighting for workers' entitlements. Can I say that, unfortunately, I was sick last week and I wasn't able to go to the memorial service for Linda, but it was really quite fitting to be snuggled up in my sickbed, without a voice, being able to fully embrace and to learn so much more about Linda. I've been on this earth for a little while, so I've been to lots of different funerals. Only too often, you go to a funeral and people that are giving the eulogies don't really know that much about the person. But I have to say every one of the speakers brought a tear to my eye because it was so evident that not only did they know Linda, not only had they worked with her and not only were they friends but they really truly knew and understood who she was. I think it'd be fair to say that some were even a little bit frightened of her at times!

I think the thing that we all respected so much about Linda, including me, is that—while we've heard that, yes, she was very proud and from the Left of the Labor Party—she embraced all of us. She did not treat anyone that wasn't on her side of the Labor Party—I think she embraced people for their different views. I think she also had mutual respect for people and the work that we each do in this place. As I said, not only have we, as Senate colleagues—she's part of the Labor movement; she's part of our family. But I feel for her brother, Michael. It was more than evident during his contribution to her memorial service how close they were and how much their parents had instilled the values that Linda had lived by every single day of her life. I have to say it was pretty obvious, being dux of primary school, the leadership that she would go on to have. What a wonderful opportunity—even though it was only two very short years—to sit in the chamber and to be able to reflect today the respect that one of our own has had and the impact she has had not only in this chamber but on the country. There are so many highlights, and other people have been far better at doing justice to Linda's involvement through the union movement, but the work that she has done in terms of equality, superannuation and looking out for those who needed a helping hand is so evident in all the contributions today. I want to thank people for those contributions.

Linda served for several years as one of the vice presidents of the ACTU, using her experience and wisdom to help steer the Australian union movement. Linda was also very generous with her time. She served as director of the Victorian Royal Botanic Gardens, as a board member for a long list of not-for-profits and as a benefactor of various organisations. They benefited from her contribution, her knowledge and her willingness to serve the community. Her service as chairwoman of the Chifley Research Centre and her work as a council member of the National Library were all just some of the ways that Linda contributed to the intellectual, political and cultural life of our nation.

I note that it was particularly fitting that mourners gathered to farewell Linda in the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. Linda was indeed a passionate advocate for the arts, theatre and Australian content. I also acknowledge Linda's time as an ACMI board member and a trustee of the MCG. Something that we would all endeavour to have is a carpark at the MCG. I'd only want it during the cricket season myself—but, anyway. Linda loved the MCG. She was a very strong and proud Victorian, and I think that, in terms of the contribution that she's made to our nation, to her state, in the chamber and particularly in our committees, people will be benefactors of that for a very, very long time to come.

In her first speech in the Senate, Linda said she would relentlessly pursue action that would make our nation's community and the state of Victoria a better place for all of us. She did achieve this and far more. Linda served as chair of several committees which legislated and oversaw the National Anti-Corruption Commission. She spoke passionately on any topic that she felt impacted Victorians or working people, from superannuation to our housing crisis. It was incredible to see how much she accomplished here in this place over just two very short years. The people of Victoria were blessed—truly blessed—to have such a strong advocate for her home state, the state that she made her own.

Linda will be remembered for the differences she made to the lives of working people. She was an integral part of the Labor family, and I have to say that anyone who served 20 years on the Labor national executive deserves our thanks and appreciation. That's no easy feat, I have to say. I did see Linda at work at various national conferences over the years. I was proud to sit in this chamber with Linda, and I just want to acknowledge the legacy that she's left behind. The support that she gave women was not just superficial. It was something that she felt right through to every bone in her body. Linda didn't just talk to the talk; she walked the walk. She believed in equality. She believed in social justice, and she believed that we all have a responsibility to be fully participating members of our communities. Rest in peace. Vale, Linda White.