Late senator's legacy marked by tears, bread and roses

A white rose, tears and heartfelt reflections on a legacy cut short marked a sombre tone as colleagues mourn the loss of late senator Linda White.

A sense of grief echoed across the chamber as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong moved a condolence motion on the death of Senator White.

The former lawyer and union official died in February aged 64 after a battle with cancer.

Senator Linda White lost her battle with cancer in February. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Senator Wong said the Labor Party was again consumed with grief, so soon after the death of beloved MP Peta Murphy.

The quiet achiever’s impact was not widely known but widely felt by millions of Australians, Senator Wong said.

A single white rose was placed on the desk of the late senator as members of the Senate felt her absence in the room.

Labor’s Jenny McAllister wiped away tears as upper house colleagues spoke fondly of her fierce and tireless friend.

Senate President Sue Lines held back tears as she spoke of the shock that overcame her when she first heard of Senator White’s death.

MPs honoured late Labor Senator Linda White during a condolence motion. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

“We were friends through thick and thin – we were comrades,” Senator Lines said.

“I knew she was very sick, but only in my darkest moments did I contemplate  perhaps that she would not return to this place.”

The two engaged in their fair share of banter and arguments during a friendship that spanned three decades.

Cabinet minister Murray Watt remembered his friend and colleague for her strive to live by the notion of “bread and roses” – to work but to also find space for enjoyment.

“As much as it is important for us concerned with working people to pursue their material interests, it is equally important to make sure that everyone in this country has the opportunity to enjoy life,” he said.

Senator White entered parliament in 2022.

Jenny McAllister and Murray Watt paid tribute to their Labor colleague. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Her working life was spent fighting for gender pay equity and improved workplace rights, including for aviation workers during the Ansett collapse and COVID-19 pandemic.

Before entering federal politics, she worked for 10 years as a solicitor, while also serving as the assistant national secretary of the Australian Services Union from 1995 to 2020.

She also spent 10 years as the vice president of the ACTU.

Staff members who worked closely with Senator White sat in attendance near the back of the chamber.

Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects at a service in Melbourne on March 14.

Senator White is survived by her brother Michael.