Labor Senator dies following health battle
Labor Senator Linda White has passed away following a health battle.
Just last month, the ALP Senator for Victoria announced that she would be taking leave from the senate to "deal with some health issues".
"For the next while I will be focusing on getting well again so I can return to my full duties representing the people of Victoria," the statement read.
However, today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed her death and led a wave of tributes for the senator.
"All of our hearts in the Labor family are broken at the passing of Senator Linda White last evening," Albanese said.
"Linda was formidable. A beloved friend, a valued colleague, a dedicated parliamentarian and, through all her efforts in the wider labour movement, a devout supporter of working Australians."
"Linda believed in a better, fairer and more compassionate Australia," Albanese added
"A belief that was always backed by her energy and action."
Labor MP Tony Burke also paid tribute to White and praised her achievements.
"Linda campaigned for years in the union movement for paid family and domestic violence leave. As a senator she helped make it law so no one would have to choose between safety and pay. RIP," he wrote.
Fellow senator and Foreign Minister Penny Wong praised White for modelling "integrity, persistence, and skill".
"Linda fought the illness that has now claimed her life privately, but with all the tenacity and determination that has marked not just her short time in the Senate, but her decades of commitment to the Labor movement and Australian workers," she said.
The leader of the opposition in the Senate, Liberal Simon Birmingham also offered his condolences and praised her work.
"The Senate has lost a determined and passionate sitting senator far too soon," Birmingham said in a statement.
"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."
White was elected the ALP Senator for Victoria in 2022.
Prior to this she had a long career in law as a trade union official.
She served as vice president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions for 10 years, and was assistant national secretary of the Australian Services Union (ASU) from 1995 to 2020.
The ASU also shared their condolences after the loss of "one of our great warriors".
"We wish Linda could have taken up this fight for longer. However, we are so fortunate to have had Linda in our lives for as long as we did, and that she dedicated so much of her life to building up the next generation of activists and change makers," the statement read.
"Her strength, smarts, and determination for equality will live on through them."
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