Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to honour the remarkable contribution of former senator Catryna Bilyk, whose service to the people of Tasmania and this parliament was defined by compassion, conviction and an unwavering commitment to justice and the labour movement. Former senator Bilyk entered this chamber in 2008, bringing with her a wealth of experience as an early childhood educator, union organiser and adviser to Tasmanian Labor ministers. From Senator Bilyk's first speech to her final sitting day, she remained a tireless advocate for those whose voices are too often unheard: workers, children, families in grief and patients facing the end of life.

Her work championing workers' rights was grounded in her lived experience. As an industrial officer for the Australian Services Union she fought for fair conditions and training opportunities, helping establish the first union job skills program. In this place she continued that fight, working with the workplace relations minister to secure presumptive compensation for federal firefighters with cancer and pushing for reforms that strengthened protections for casual and contract workers—a legacy she should be immensely proud of.

Senator Bilyk's advocacy for brain cancer awareness was deeply personal. Diagnosed with two benign brain tumours, she transformed adversity into action. Senator Bilyk raised over $220,000 for research, chaired the Senate Select Committee into Funding for Research into Cancers with Low Survival Rates and helped to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars for treatments that offer hope to families facing the bleakest of diagnoses. Senator Bilyk's tireless campaigning efforts led to improved access to the NDIS for brain tumour patients and saved vital services like the Australasian Shunt Registry and the national assistance card program.

To early childhood education Senator Bilyk brought both professional insight and policy acumen. She understood that the earliest years shape a child's future, and she fought to ensure educators were respected, resourced and recognised. Her voice was instrumental in debates around universal access, workforce development and child safety, always placing the wellbeing of children and families at the centre of her work. She was also a fierce advocate for stillbirth awareness and palliative care. Twice she helped save Palliative Care Tasmania from closure, ensuring that families across the state could access compassionate end-of-life support. Her work on stillbirth policy gave grieving parents the dignity of recognition and the promise of better care for others who will walk that painful path.

Beyond domestic policy, Senator Bilyk championed diplomacy and international cooperation. She worked to strengthen Australia's ties with our Asian neighbours, Japan and India in particular, recognising that regional stability and mutual respect are essential to our nation's interests. Her approach was grounded in dialogue, cultural understanding and a belief in a shared prosperity. Senator Bilyk's legacy is one of quiet strength and enduring impact. She served with humility, courage and a deep love for Tasmania. Her commitment to the labour movement is unrivalled, her advocacy unrelenting and her compassion unmatched.

She left this place with her head held high. I will miss her in this place as a colleague and a friend. As she steps away from this chamber, we thank her not just for the policies she shaped but for the lives she touched. Because of her service, Tasmania is stronger and this place is a better place. I want to thank her, too, because, during my time as shadow assistant minister for ageing, she was very supportive. She's also supported the work that I've done, over a very long time, raising awareness around dementia and my work with Dementia Australia. I want to thank her for that.

I want to wish her, in the next chapter of her life, a much healthier and a very happy life going forward. I hope that the next chapter for Robert and her will be a long and fulfilling one.

I want to place on the record that we thank her. I thank her for her friendship and support over those years. I think this place has been much better for it. When you bring lived experience to this place, it is a very powerful tool to raise awareness over all sorts of issues. (Time expired)