Wednesday, 23 February 2022

Denise Margaret Allen

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (09:45): I wish to rise to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Denise Allen. Denise was born in Alexandra in country Victoria and passed away on 22 January aged 68 after her battle with cancer.

Dr Cumming interjected.

The PRESIDENT: You just noted that there are to be no interjections and you just interjected, Dr Cumming. Please.

Ms SYMES: Thank you, President. In 1999 Denise was the Labor candidate for Benalla. She missed out, but she was back with a vengeance in 2000 when a by-election was called after the seat was vacated by former Deputy Premier Pat McNamara. Against the odds, she won—by 237 votes. One of those votes was mine. I was a 21-year-old who was home from uni, and I got to meet her and Premier Bracks on the by-election day, where we talked about the challenges of country people having to leave country areas to study. Although she was only the member for two years, she remained a Labor, social justice and regional Victorian stalwart. She was passionate about community issues, especially for people with disabilities. She had many roles in her life, including life skills and motivational tutor. She owned a modelling agency, a beauty therapy studio and a retail fashion store. She was on the disability reference group for the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and the policy action group of National Seniors Australia in Victoria and was the president of the Goulburn Options disability services board in Seymour. Denise’s tireless advocacy for social justice, disability reform and dying with dignity and her passion for the Labor movement will be missed by all of us, particularly in country Victoria.