Today the Labor family mourns the death of our friend and comrade, former Senator Trish Crossin AM.
Trish was the first woman to represent the Northern Territory in the Australian Parliament, where she served for fifteen years.
Her kindness, integrity, work ethic and commitment to Territorians were plain to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, as I did.
Trish moved from Melbourne to the Northern Territory at the age of 24 in 1981, working as a teacher in remote schools.
In her first speech in 1998, she thanked the Yolngu people in their own language, giving "a public undertaking to work hard to represent them and to continue to respect and acknowledge their rights.”
Throughout her time in the Australian Senate, Trish was a resolute advocate for First Nations communities and regional Australia.
She was also a fierce unionist and feminist, and a co-sponsor of the first marriage equality bill in the Senate.
My thoughts today are with her husband, Mark, her four children Paul, Melinda, Amanda and Kate, her grandchildren, family, and many friends across the nation.
Vale, Trish Crossin.