Condolence

Appleby, Mrs J.E.

Condolence motion resumed.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): I also rise to support the condolence motion. Today, the house reflects on the life of Mrs June Elizabeth Appleby, a former member of this parliament whose service left a clear mark on the people she represented. Born in 1941 and passing away on 7 November 2025, she is survived by her husband, Maurice, and by the many friends and colleagues who respected her deeply.

She was elected to this place as the member for Brighton and later continued her work as the member for Hayward after the redistribution. During that period she served as assistant whip and then became the first woman in South Australia to serve as Government Whip. That achievement alone speaks to the trust that her colleagues placed in her and to the way that she also carried herself with professionalism in this chamber.

From the moment she delivered her maiden speech, it was obvious what mattered most to her. She spoke about many things, especially mature-aged workers who had lost their jobs, about families who were struggling to hold on and about the human cost when the economy was certainly under pressure. She especially understood unemployment, what it does and how it shakes a person's confidence and their dignity, and she made sure that those stories were brought in to this very place.

June did not treat those issues just as talking points. She held those public meetings and she listened to people directly, but she also pushed for practical solutions. She worked with local residents on things like skills support, concessions and programs that could help practically with older workers, getting them back into meaningful employment. Her advocacy was always grounded. It was consistent and it was shaped by the voices of the people in her electorate and the state.

She was also a pioneer in disability rights. She drove the effort that resulted in the first legislation required to establish disabled parking spaces in this state. Members who came after her acknowledged it, that it was her persistence that made that change possible. That reform has served generations of people in this state and remains one of her most significant contributions.

Her work touched every corner of community life. She called out the misuse of youth unemployment subsidies, defended small business owners, raised concerns about rising energy costs and spoke for the many pensioners and low income earners who relied on the electricity concession scheme. She questioned age-based discrimination in various industries like insurance. She supported national efforts to address it as well. She even raised issues that others may have brushed aside, things like concerns about scratch-and-sniff stickers in schools. What stands out the most is the way that she approached public life. She listened carefully, she spoke plainly and she focused on people who were often neglected and overlooked. She carried their stories into this place and she insisted that they be heard with respect.

On behalf of the opposition, I thank June Appleby for her service. She broke new ground in this parliament. She stood up for vulnerable South Australians and she did her work with honesty, integrity and commitment. We too extend our sincere condolences to her husband, Maurice, and to all of those who knew and loved her. May she rest in peace.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Tourism, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:10): I will just speak briefly. I remember June Appleby because she was a member of the first sub-branch that I ever joined, in 1992. June and Maurice were the stalwarts of that sub-branch. The reason I remember is because we would meet on Sundays at 10am which, as a very young person, I suggested was not a great time. We would also raffle off a dozen eggs and that was our fundraising.

As a person, newly part of the party, very interested in politics, you always look around you to see people who have had that opportunity to serve, and June was one of those people. As we have heard today, she was a first mover in many ways. It was a really difficult time for youth unemployment in the early 1990s and the fact that she spoke about this concern is something that I remember from the conversations I had with her, as a very young person.

Her leadership in disability access does not surprise me at all. She saw opportunities there to speak out for people whose voices were not heard. It feels like a long time ago, when I joined my very first sub-branch, but you do remember the people who were there, the people who influence you and the people who you look up to when you think about the opportunities that might present to represent people here in this state parliament.

To her family, to Maurice, I remember you and I remember how committed you were to continue to work on campaigns, even though she had left parliament at that point. I think of her dearly and may she rest in peace.

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services, Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well) (14:12): It is with great sadness that I rise today to honour the life of June Elizabeth Appleby who was born on 2 June 1941. June was a distinguished South Australian, a pioneer for women in political leadership and until recently, along with husband Maurice, a much-loved resident of my suburb of Woodcroft.

June was a member of our Hurtle Vale sub-branch. She was a friend, a supporter and a mentor to me. June passed away on Friday 7 November 2025. Her loss is felt deeply across the state and especially within our local community where she maintained strong and meaningful connections. June devoted nearly a decade to the Parliament of South Australia, representing the Labor Party. She served as the member for Brighton from 1982 to 1985 and then as the member for Hayward from 1985 to 1989. Her parliamentary career was marked by principled leadership and an unwavering commitment to her constituents. I know she has left our earth absolutely delighted with the collective representation of her old electorates, which sit across mostly Gibson and Black.

In 1985, June made history as the first woman to hold the office of Government Whip in South Australia under the Bannon government, until 1989. This was a groundbreaking achievement that helped open doors for women in parliamentary leadership. She carried out her responsibilities with diligence—apparently, she was pretty tough—but with fairness and steadfast integrity, earning the respect of colleagues across the chamber.

June's parliamentary career places her firmly amongst an extraordinary generation of Labor women who reshaped political representation in South Australia. She followed in the footsteps of pioneers such as Molly Byrne and Anne Levy, and then Anne Levy later became the first woman to preside over any house of parliament in Australia. These women, along with other trailblazers like Barbara Weise and Carolyn Pickles, helped carve out a space in political institutions where women had previously been excluded. June Appleby's appointment as one of Labor's first female government representatives in the House of Assembly is a proud legacy in itself. Her leadership contributed to a cultural shift that continues to open doors for women like us in public life today.

June was fierce, a determined advocate for people living with disability. Notably, she pioneered legislation requiring the provision of disability parking spaces in South Australia. I have to say, we have had some conversations about that over recent years, because she lived a mere 500 metres from my house. This reform continues to improve accessibility and, along with recent changes as well, the independence and dignity for countless individuals have been improved. This achievement stands as a lasting testament to her compassion, to her vision and her dedication to creating a fairer and more inclusive state. Her advocacy reflected her character. Principled, courageous and deeply committed to justice, she never hesitated to challenge practices that excluded disadvantaged people. Her persistence brought lasting change for so many South Australians that other members have just spoken about.

June's community contribution extended beyond her parliamentary career. As a founding member of the Cosy Club, she helped establish one of the most warm-hearted and impactful initiatives supporting older South Australians. Operating under the Uniting Communities Community Aged Care program, the Cosy Club brought together older women to meet monthly at U City and knit, crochet, make crafts, and these handmade items were given to people who were doing it tough all across Adelaide. Their creations, including rugs, socks, scarves, baby clothes, blankets and beanies, have been distributed through local charity partners including the Smith Family, Hutt St Centre, Westcare Centre and Catherine House.

The group also provided welcome and pamper packages for people entering Aldersgate and Murray Mudge aged-care homes. These offered comfort at a time of uncertainty and change. June often reflected on the meaning of that work, describing each handmade item as an expression of love, care and dignity, and emphasised how the Cosy Club provides its members with connection, purpose and the joy of giving. This is leadership. It was leadership that continued to warm hearts and uplift people in need.

On a personal note, more recently we visited June, and my staff and I always enjoyed visiting her. She lived in the Living Choice retirement village in Woodcroft. She would always welcome us warmly and generously. She would share insights from years and years of experience. You would never get bored talking with June. She remained deeply engaged with issues affecting her community, and she let me know. She was very pleased with the concessions work that has been done under the leadership of the Premier. When you visited, you felt that you were in a place where you were privileged to be reminded of her wisdom, her generosity, and her enduring commitment to public service.

I know her passing is felt deeply by many close to her. She was the cherished wife of Maurice. They were inseparable and recently moved together to get more support and care so that they could be in a place of comfort together in the end part of their life. The house extends its absolute heartfelt condolences to Maurice. She was also a beloved daughter of Colleen and Albert, both deceased, and a sister to John Bennetts and Richard Bennetts, also deceased. Her sister Kaye Clothier and brother-in-law Lawrence Clothier will absolutely miss her, as will her nieces Jodhi-Anne and Kym Therese. She was proud great-aunty to Garratt and Jai. She will be missed by them all. I know that they will be coming to celebrate Maurice's 90^th birthday in February. I look forward to reaching out to see if we can do something special for them.

I acknowledge June's really close friend Denise Kirk, a member of my local VIEW club, who was always there for her. Denise provided a steadfast friendship and practical care right to the very end. She brought comfort, stability and companionship to June during her final months and it is fitting that we represent Denise's absolute commitment and dedication.

I know the family was very pleased with the caring staff at Allambi aged care, whose support and compassion provided comfort to June and her loved ones. I know Maurice would have loved to have been here today but it was just not possible, but I will be visiting Maurice very soon and passing on our regards.

To the family, we will mourn her loss. We honour and celebrate a life of service, a life that made South Australia a fairer, more inclusive and profoundly better place. Vale June: a warrior for people who needed a voice. I commend the motion to the house.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.

The SPEAKER: The house will stand suspended until the ringing of the bells.

Sitting suspended from 14:21 to 14:32.