Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise on behalf of the opposition to support the motion moved by Senator Wong, to associate the opposition with her fine words in paying tribute to the life of Senator Linda White, a determined and passionate individual, an incumbent senator taken far too soon.

Elected to the Senate just two years ago, in 2022, while Linda White's time as a senator for the state of Victoria may have been all too short, she made her presence felt here and she particularly made it felt in continuing her work and her advocacy as a champion of social and economic justice. It is clear that Linda White had so much more to contribute and would have made a bigger impact were she but given the time.

For those of us as non-Labor senators, we had only those short couple of years to get to know Linda. It is clear from Senator Wong's remarks, and those of our colleagues opposite, that the depth and length of her service and commitment across the Labor Party and the union movement means that this is felt very, very deeply by our Labor colleagues, who had a lifetime of getting to know, value and admire Linda White. We acknowledge and send our sincere condolences to our colleagues, whose shock and sadness at Linda's passing remain raw.

All of us who had the privilege to serve with her in this place remember Linda and the impact that she made in such a short period of time. Educated as a lawyer at the Melbourne Law School, Linda began her legal career tackling no small matters. Issues of corruption and advocating for victims-survivors of institutional child sexual abuse set a continuity of service, advocacy and thoughtfulness for others that continued throughout her career. Linda, as we've heard, applied her skills at the Australian Services Union, working from grassroots roles to ultimately holding the position of assistant national secretary. It is clear that Linda was a fierce advocate for the union movement, playing a crucial role in so many battles—notably, as Senator Wong alluded to, her integral role in the 2012 equal pay case, representing 200,000 non-government social and community services workers.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions described Linda as a feminist who advocated at all levels, saying, 'Linda in full flight of an argument across the bargaining table was a sight to see, and many ASU delegates will remember the strength of her advocacy.' I have no doubt that that was the case and no doubt that Senator Wong's reflections on what Linda White may have been were she to have served as an opposition senator is something that those of us who had the privilege of serving as government ministers can be grateful to have avoided.

Her talents branched out to also serve the Labor Party for both Victoria and federally, leading, as we have heard, to Linda White becoming the longest-serving woman on the national executive of the Australian Labor Party. Our parties are fearsome in their contests and unforgiving in the way they can sometimes dispatch people. The strength and character that would be required to notch up such a period of service on Labor's national executive is something that speaks volumes of an individual and their capabilities. As others have said when reflecting upon Linda's contribution, she left a legacy wherever she went. It is deeply regrettable that she did not have more time in this place to extend the legacy that she does leave here.

In her first speech in 2022, Linda made a promise that no-one in the Senate would be left wondering what she thought, that people would always know where she stands and that they would know that she was not afraid of saying what was on her mind. As we have heard from Senator Wong, this was a trait that Linda White carried throughout her career and service, and here in the Senate it was clear she lived up to that promise. She was never one to take a backward step in contest in the chamber or in committees. She was a determined advocate for her beliefs.

Linda campaigned across a wide range of areas, reflecting her deep, lifelong commitment to social justice, especially for women. This included her focus on the gap between the retirement savings of women and men, which she highlighted was far greater than the gender pay gap, and her work on the National Redress Scheme for victims-survivors of institutionalised child sexual abuse.

When news of Linda's death became public, one of the first colleagues to make a comment to me was Senator Scarr, who immediately reflected upon Linda's work as the Chair of the Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Linda played a critical role in scrutinising this important legislation and was instrumental—working with senators and members of the House, across all parties, as well as Independents—in delivering a unanimous report. She was a fierce warrior. But her demonstrated ability to get outcomes and to bring people together when it mattered was also a significant achievement and a notable legacy that she leaves in this place.

Linda was also the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, a role she performed to the highest standard, in the very best traditions of this Senate—to the occasional annoyance, no doubt, of ministers who were subject to such scrutiny.

I know that Linda was admired and valued by those opposite and across the trade union movement for work reaching back decades, including her early work ensuring that the entitlements of Ansett workers were recognised. Her fight for them continued through my service with Linda on the Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements, where I could see firsthand how she brought decades of advocacy, knowledge and skills from different industry sectors to the table in taking up the fight, particularly to those in corporate positions.

Senator White was a strong believer in Australia's democracy. In her first speech, she noted the fragility of democracy and the importance of the role that all senators and politicians play in restoring or maintaining 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.' In this chamber, in particular, that attitude is perhaps one of the most important traits any of us can bring to bear.

Linda was a private person, as evidenced by the way she went about fighting her health battles towards the end of her life. I want to thank my colleague Senator Hume for representing the coalition at Linda's funeral, where I understand that those of us who had not had a long period to get to know Linda were able to learn a little more about her life and, indeed, the pride she took in her service on the MCG Trust, for that best parking position at the MCG—something that I can only imagine would be well fought over by over so many—and the opportunity to be a great provider of hospitality to her dear friends, to her colleagues and to those she valued. Also, her work with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and her other interests outside of this place ensured that Linda, though private, was equally a person with a rich life of service and engagement.

On behalf of the coalition, I extend our sympathy to Senator White's staff in particular. I was elected to this place to fill a vacancy of a senator who passed away in office. Sadly, we have done this all too often in this chamber, particularly in recent years. I know in each one of these instances the care, compassion and thoughtfulness of staff have been so essential to the way in which a senator, trying to fight for their life whilst fulfilling their duties and their service to this place, relies so heavily on the diligence and thoughtfulness of their staff. I thank you and acknowledge the very difficult and trying time it is for those who worked most closely with Linda.

To all of her colleagues, to those across the wider union movement, especially in the ASU and the Labor Party, we acknowledge and send our condolences. In particular, to Linda's loved ones and family and her brother Michael, we express our deepest sympathy. Thank you all for ensuring that we had the opportunity to serve alongside someone like Linda White.