2 June 2015

Joan Kirner was a mentor and inspiration to countless women in Australia. 

Grounded in community activism and strengthened with the knowledge that woman can indeed do anything, Joan’s legacy is immense.

She will be remembered for her passionate commitment to social justice, her unswerving belief in educational opportunities, her courage and determination for gender equality and her insistence on profound cultural change for Labor in the form of affirmative action.

Having founded EMILY’s List Australia in 1996, Joan remained a staunch champion of the key principles of equity, childcare, equal pay, choice and diversity to the very end.

Her ongoing work with EMILY’s List provided an important financial, political and personal support network for the election of more than 200 progressive Labor women into Australian parliaments.

A generation of Labor women remain deeply indebted to Joan’s vision and her tenacity. Today, we say thank you.

The Federal Labor Status of Women Caucus Committee sends our deepest condolences to Joan’s husband Ron and her three children, Michael, David and Kate and their families at this sad time.