Mr DUTTON (Dickson—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): I thank the Prime Minister for his words, and I join with him in honouring the life of Rosemary Anne Crowley AO, who was a parliamentarian and, as we just heard from the Prime Minister, wore her heart on her sleeve. No-one was ever left wondering who she was. Indeed, she radiated who she was: a feminist, an advocate for social justice and a campaigner for the down and out. She did so with pride and passion and with confidence and a cheeky sense of humour. The forthright and fearless senator was forged by her life experiences. Born into a Catholic family and the second of six children, Rosemary was educated at a Brigidine Sisters convent in Hawthorn. There, she developed a strong sense of social justice and studied hard to receive a Commonwealth scholarship. Graduating with a medical degree from Melbourne uni in 1961, Rosemary worked as a medical officer at St Vincent's Hospital and as a pathologist at the Royal Children's Hospital. When she accompanied her husband, James, to California in 1965, Rosemary was thrust into the centre of the anti-Vietnam War and women's liberation movements that would further shape her values and character. After the couple returned to Australia in 1969 and settled in Adelaide, Rosemary continued working in the medical field with a focus on children, parental counselling and mental health. But, with her experiences abroad having whet her political appetite, Rosemary became active in the Labor Party. Rosemary's elation at the rise of the Whitlam government soon turned to despair with its fall, but what Rosemary described as the injustice of the dismissal only fuelled her political ambitions. After serving as junior vice-president and president of the ALP Mitcham branch, she soon secured a South Australian Senate spot in Canberra in the double dissolution election in 1983. In that year, she was fifth on the ALP ticket but would be elevated to pole position in the subsequent four elections she contested. An enthusiastic contributor to Labor's women's policy statement The Australian Labor Party and the status of women: towards equality and galvanised by the passage of the Sex Discrimination Act, Rosemary was an energised member of the new Hawke government. As a backbencher and committee member, she campaigned with gusto on the issues dearest to her: welfare reform and needs based child care, community help and disability and aged care, occupational health and safety—especially for union workforces—and arms reduction, even joining a protest group of women at Pine Gap. When Bob Hawke proposed a Medicare co-payment, Rosemary opposed her own party's policy. And, with Keating's promise to oppose the co-payment, Rosemary threw her support behind him when he was challenging Hawke for the leadership. After the 1993 election, Rosemary was appointed Minister for Family Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women. As minister, she initiated a program of financial assistance and support for low-income families, disabled Australians, carers and students. Child care was one of her four key areas of focus, and, with Labor returned to opposition in 1996, Rosemary returned to the Senate committee work that she'd enjoyed so much. She headed an inquiry that led to recommendations to improve the participation of women in sport and its associated media coverage. Rosemary was the first female member of the Labor Party from South Australia to be elected to federal parliament. She was the first female minister from South Australia. She inspired and mentored many women, especially in the Labor ranks. For her parliamentary service and promoting the status of women, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. On behalf of the coalition, I offer my heartfelt condolences to those members opposite, to the entire Labor family and to all who loved Rosemary. To her family, especially her sons Stephen, Vincent and Diarmuid, we offer our sincere condolences. To her friends and her Labor Party colleagues, as I say, our thoughts are with you at the moment. May she rest in peace. The SPEAKER: As a mark of respect to the memory of the Hon. Dr Rosemary Anne Crowley, I ask all present to rise in their places. Honourable members having stood in th eir places— The SPEAKER: I thank the House. Debate adjourned.