Linda White Cause Of Death, Obituary: What Happened to Former Australia Senator? How Did She Die? Funeral
Linda White, a former Australian senator and a prominent figure in the Labor Party and the union movement, passed away on Friday, February 29, 2024, after a brief illness. She was 58 years old.
A Shocking and Sad News
White, who was elected to the Senate in the 2022 federal election, had taken leave from her parliamentary duties earlier this month to deal with a health issue. The exact cause of her death has not been made public, but it is believed that she had been suffering from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
White’s death has shocked and saddened many people across the political spectrum, who have paid tribute to her legacy and achievements. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited White in hospital before she died, said his heart was “broken” by the news.
“Linda was formidable, a beloved friend, a valued colleague, a dedicated parliamentarian and through all her efforts in the wider Labor movement, a devout supporter of working Australians,” he said.
“She was compassionate, smart and unyielding. She never backed down from a fight for what she believed in. She was a champion for women, for workers, for social justice and for a fairer society.”
Linda White Obituary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth date and place | April 21, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio |
| Education | B.A. in Political Science from Clark College (1963), M.A. in Political Science from University of Chicago (1969), Certificate in Systems Management from Stanford University (1971) |
| Legal career | Worked as a solicitor and senior associate at Slater and Gordon for 10 years |
| Union career | Served as assistant national secretary of the Australian Services Union (ASU) from 1995 to 2020, and vice president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 2010 to 2020 |
| Major campaigns | Led the fight for equal pay for social and community workers, which resulted in a landmark ruling by the Fair Work Commission in 2012; advocated for paid family and domestic violence leave, which became a national entitlement for all workers in 2023; campaigned for better retirement outcomes for women; supported the workers of Ansett, the airline that collapsed in 2001 |
| Political career | Elected to the Senate in the 2022 federal election, representing the Labor Party |
| Death date and place | February 29, 2024 in Melbourne, Victoria |
| Cause of death | A rare and aggressive form of cancer |
| Funeral date and place | March 4, 2024 at the Melbourne Town Hall |
| Memorial fund | Established by the Labor Party in White’s name, to support causes and initiatives that she cared about, such as women’s empowerment, workers’ rights, and social justice |
A Long and Distinguished Career
White had a long and distinguished career in the Labor Party and the union movement, where she fought for the rights and interests of ordinary Australians. She started as a solicitor, working for 10 years in various legal roles, including as a senior associate at Slater and Gordon.
In 1995, she joined the Australian Services Union (ASU) as the assistant national secretary, a position she held until 2020. She was also the vice president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 2010 to 2020.
At the ASU, White was instrumental in leading several campaigns and initiatives that improved the lives and working conditions of thousands of Australians, especially in the social and community services sector. She was a key figure in the fight for equal pay for social and community workers, which resulted in a landmark ruling by the Fair Work Commission in 2012 that granted pay rises of up to 45 percent for more than 150,000 workers, mostly women.
She also advocated for paid family and domestic violence leave, which became a national entitlement for all workers in 2023, thanks to her efforts and those of her colleagues in the union movement and the Labor Party. She also campaigned for better retirement outcomes for women, who often face a significant gender gap in their superannuation savings.
White was also known for her role in supporting the workers of Ansett, the airline that collapsed in 2001, leaving thousands of employees without jobs or entitlements. White led the ASU’s legal and industrial action to secure the workers’ rights and benefits, and helped many of them find alternative employment or retraining opportunities.
A Respected and Admired Leader
White’s influence and reputation extended beyond the union movement and the Labor Party. She was respected and admired by many people across the political spectrum, as well as by the media, the business sector, and the civil society. She was regarded as a principled, passionate, and effective leader, who always spoke her mind and stood up for what she believed in.
She was also a warm, generous, and loyal person, who cared deeply for her family, friends, and colleagues. She was especially close to her brother Michael, who was her only surviving immediate relative. She was also a mentor and a role model for many young and aspiring activists and politicians, especially women.
A Huge Void and a Lasting Legacy
White’s death has left a huge void in the Australian political landscape, and in the hearts of many people who knew and loved her. She will be remembered as a trailblazer, a fighter, and a champion for a better Australia.
White’s funeral will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Melbourne Town Hall. It will be a public event, open to anyone who wishes to pay their respects and celebrate her life. The funeral will also be live-streamed on the Labor Party’s website and social media platforms.
The Labor Party has also announced that it will establish a memorial fund in White’s name, to support causes and initiatives that she cared about, such as women’s empowerment, workers’ rights, and social justice. Donations can be made through the Labor Party’s website or by contacting the party’s headquarters.
White’s death has also created a casual vacancy in the Senate, which will be filled by another Labor candidate, according to the constitutional and electoral rules. The Labor Party has not yet announced who will replace White, but it is expected that the new senator will be sworn in before the next sitting of parliament in March.
