Linda White
Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:56): My members statement is on the recent passing of Linda White. Linda was a staunch trade unionist and someone who lived her Labor values every day. She rose to be national assistant secretary after a lifetime contribution of activism in her union, the Australian Services Union, representing many workers, notably in her defence of and advocacy for workers in the Ansett dispute. Linda also contributed significantly to changes to rules of the Australian Services Union. Ahead of her time, she contributed to the implementation of affirmative action rule changes, along with many others, that saw rule changes ensure that women would hold 50 per cent of conference delegate positions within that union. I was also part of seeing this change, and I recall fondly participating in debates on the floor of my own branch conference, where the debate, I can happily report, was won. Linda was a formidable advocate for working people. She was a sister and a comrade to many. She made an enormous contribution to so many in the movement and for working people, and I am privileged to have worked with her, to have benefited from her strong leadership and to have been part of a period within the movement that saw so much positive change. Her life was cut short way too soon, with so much more to give and to offer. She will be missed by many, and my deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences go to Linda’s family, friends and colleagues. Vale, Linda.