The Victorian Labor senator Linda White has been remembered by colleagues as a “torch bearer for equality and a fairer society” as well as being an intelligent force for good.
The former lawyer and trade unionist died on Thursday night after health issues forced her to take leave from Senate duties in February.
The announcement of White’s death came on the eve of the Dunkley byelection, which was prompted by the death of another Labor MP, Peta Murphy, in December.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to his “dear friend” on Friday morning. Albanese said White’s long legal and union careers meant she was often described as the “most senior backbencher to have ever existed”.
“All of our hearts in the Labor family are broken at the passing of Senator Linda White,” a visibly emotional 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.”
Albanese said he had visited White in hospital a few weeks ago. She was “doing it tough but in a fashion that’s reminiscent of the courage that Peta Murphy showed during her final weeks,” the PM said.
“She didn’t complain. She asked how the byelection was going. She spoke about her love for Peta Murphy and the loss of Peta.
“She asked for nothing for herself. Except that I keep the visit private. Linda was a deeply private person.”
Albanese acknowledged it was a “particularly tough” time for Victorian Labor.
“To lose two women in their prime within three months of each other is beyond belief. It’s just so sad because Linda White had so much more to give,” he said.
White – who was elected to the upper house at the 2022 federal election – served on a number of parliamentary committees including as chair overseeing the creation of the National Anti-corruption Commission (Nacc).
The Liberal MP Keith Wolahan, who served on the Nacc committee, described White as “principled, fair and hard-working – a patriot of her party and our democracy”.
The Greens senator David Shoebridge, who also worked with White on the Nacc committee, said she was a “fundamentally decent, honest, empathetic and intelligent force for good”.
The employment minister, Tony Burke, said White left an “extraordinary legacy for working people in Australia”.
“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,” he said.
The Coalition also celebrated White’s time as senator, with the opposition Senate leader, Simon Birmingham, saying “she made her presence felt as a champion of social and economic justice”.
“The Senate has lost a determined and passionate sitting senator far too soon. 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.”
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, said White’s legacy would be “elevating the worth of women’s work”.
“Because of Linda, tens of thousands of Australian women are better paid. Because of Linda, their work is not only recognised but rewarded,” she said.
White spent more than a decade as the assistant national secretary of the Australian Services Union before heading to Canberra.
The union on Friday described White as a “torch bearer for equality, justice and a fairer society” and an “irreplaceable part of our union family”.
“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.”
