‘The Late Senator Linda White Remembered as a Dedicated Parliamentarian: Tributes Pour In from Australian Labor Party’
Offering my deepest condolences to Linda’s family and loved ones on behalf of the Australian government and the Labor family.
Victorian Labor senator Linda White has passed away after battling health issues for several years, leading to a wave of tributes from the Labor government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his heartfelt sorrow at the news.
Although the exact cause of death has not been disclosed, Mr. Albanese revealed that Ms. White was fighting cancer.
Ms. White, who was elected to the upper house in the 2022 federal election, held the record for being the longest-serving female member on the national executive of the Australian Labor Party.
Prior to her federal political career, she worked as a solicitor for 10 years and also served as the assistant national secretary of the Australian Services Union from 1995 to 2020.
In February, the senator announced her decision to take leave from the Senate to address health concerns.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed deep sadness over the passing of Ms. White on the evening of February 29, stating that all her Labor colleagues were grief-stricken.
He described her as “a cherished friend, a respected colleague, a committed parliamentarian, and a staunch advocate for working Australians.”
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Albanese noted that the Victorian Labor branch was in mourning following the recent loss of Dunkley MP Peta Murphy in December 2023.
He expressed his sorrow over losing two remarkable women within a short time and praised Linda White for her significant contributions.
He highlighted Ms. White’s impactful work on issues like the National Anti-corruption Commission and improved access to superannuation for women.
The PM remembered her pivotal role in the ASU and described her as a revered figure within the Labor movement.
Minister Tony Burke acknowledged Ms. White’s remarkable achievements, particularly her advocacy for paid family and domestic violence leave.
The opposition leader Simon Birmingham also extended his sympathies to Ms. White’s family and friends, recognizing her as an advocate for social justice, especially women.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan praised Ms. White’s efforts in securing good jobs and uplifting the value of women’s work in Australia.
Greens senator David Shoebridge described Ms. White as a force for good and expressed his condolences for her loss.
AAP contributed to this report.
