Hogan, M. – Motion

Wednesday 3 May 2023 

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (15:37): I move: 

That this house expresses its deep regret at the death of labour movement leader Michelle Hogan and places on record its sincere appreciation for her activism and profound contribution she made to the wellbeing and empowerment of South Australian women. 

It is of note that we move this motion today, both in this house and in the other place, as this week began with May Day, a day which recognises the historic struggles and gains made by workers in the labour movement. Michelle was a proud unionist, feminist and community activist. 

I started working in the union movement in the mid-nineties, and I heard about Michelle well before I met her. She was making positive change at the United Trades and Labor Council and people were talking about it. It is worth considering the culture she was working in at that time: union leadership was dominated by men and Michelle was offering new ways of working. 

Michelle made it seem like there were no barriers because she was already blazing ahead, and this was important to me as a young woman wanting to make my own mark by improving the lives of working people. In fact, the mere act of my standing in this place today is in part thanks to Michelle. We shared the same values as feminists and unionists, and I was fortunate over time to call Michelle my friend. She guided and sometimes she goaded, but it was always with a sense of fun. She was well aware of the barriers we were and still are up against, but she was determined to make change. 

Once you came into Michelle's orbit you stayed there. She looked out for you, struggled alongside you and laughed with you. She was more tactile than me, often reaching for your hand or giving a friendly punch on the shoulder, which I hope was never meant to be quite as hard as it always seemed to be. Michelle was bold and feisty and a lot of fun. 

We worked together in the work life balance team at SafeWork SA. Michelle was my manager, and whilst it seemed that our small team was an island in that workplace she was determined to make our work matter. As union members our entire working lives, it was with great joy that in my very first day of working in her team at SafeWork SA we went on a rally together. I suspect it is not often that your manager takes you on a union rally on your first day on the job. 

At the Working Women's Centre, she was our leader and chair for the last five years. While so many of us on that committee wanted to be perfect feminists, Michelle was much more pragmatic. She fundamentally changed that organisation for the better with her deep passion, her understanding of feminist theory and many, many hours of work. Vulnerable workers who seek the support of the Working Women's Centre have better outcomes now thanks to Michelle's leadership. 

I think it says a lot as chair of the Working Women's Centre that Michelle managed to form such deep friendships with the staff. I know they miss her dreadfully. Her feminist values were also able to be realised in her work at the Dale Street Women's Health Service in Port Adelaide and later at Catherine House, in both instances ensuring that vulnerable women received the services they needed. 

Michelle was a community activist. When she was on Port Adelaide Enfield council, she moved the motion that saw this council as the first in the country to support a raise to JobSeeker payment—topical. She was active in the Port Adelaide branch of the National Trust. One campaign Michelle was active on was to try to save Shed 26, the last surviving sawtooth shed in Port Adelaide on the Inner Harbour waterfront. She also served on the management committee at SACOSS. If Michelle witnessed injustice, she did something about it, always bringing others with her. 

Michelle and Robert shared a love of the arts, and Tom and I were lucky to spend a few Festival opening concerts with them on a picnic blanket with the obligatory wine and cheese. Michelle and Robert were also WOMAD stalwarts, and everyone knew that you could find them in their regular spot under the trees. 

Michelle was my feminist mentor and friend, and for that I am forever grateful, but more importantly there are so many people in our movement who also feel this way. We all improved our craft thanks to Michelle. The union and feminist movement in South Australia is better because of Michelle's passion and activism. I extend my condolences to Michelle's partner, Robert, and family, her large circle of friends, comrades and sisters, who are devastated by her sudden passing. Vale, Michelle Hogan.