PM Transcripts

I I . IydI J ~ I INL. U r. ul'ui
PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MIR
DEATH OF SENATOR OLIVE ZAKHAROV
I was deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of Olive Zakharov. On
behalf of the Government and the Australian Labor Party I extend to Olive's
family and friends my deepest sympathies.
Throughout her life, Olive Zakharov showed a selfless and unwavering
concern for and commitment to improving the welfare of Australian society.
Her interests were many, and she will be remembered for the passion with
which she strove for those things she believed in.
With her tragic death the Australian community and the Labor Party have lost
one of their most tireless fighters for social justice.
Olive Zakharov was elected to the Senate in 1983 and represented the
people of Victoria, especially the women of Victoria, with great skill and
distinction. Her deep and abiding commitment to improving the legal and
social position of women will be her legacy to Australia.
From her own personal experience, Olive Zakharov knew the suffering of
women who were victims of domestic violence and abuse. It was her
understanding of the consequences of domestic abuse that enabled her to
persuade government to do more to attack the causes of the problem.
Olive Zakharov was also one of the earliest fighters in the struggle against
HIV/ AIDS. She was an original member of the First Parliamentary Liaison
Group on HIV/ AIDS. She actively supported the development of the First
National HIV/ AIDS Strategy and the work of the Victorian AIDS Council and
other community groups involved in HIV/ AIDS.
Her invaluable contribution to the parliament and people of Australia was also
shown in her role as Temporary Chairman of Committee's and she wrote as
Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Employment, Education and
Training. She also served as a member of various other Senate Committees.
Olive will be sadly missed.
BONN 7 March 1995