Joan Kirner, Victoria’s first female premier, has passed away

LATEST: THE family of Joan Kirner has been offered a state funeral to honour Victoria’s first female premier, as tributes flow for the 76-year-old.

THE family of Joan Kirner has been offered a state funeral to honour Victoria’s first female premier.

And government buildings around the state will fly at half mast today, Premier Daniel Andrews said, following her passing yesterday after a brave battle with cancer.

Mr Andrews praised Ms Kirner for a lifelong dedication to education and for inspiring women across the country to get involved in politics.

He said Ms Kirner’s husband Ron was discussing funeral arrangements with the government and more would be announced soon.

“We have offered a state funderal and the Department of Premier and Cabinet is speaking with Ron and the kids to organise a fitting tribute to an outstanding Victorian,” he said.

“I can inform you that flags are currently flying half-mast on all government buildings in recognition of former premier Joan Kirner’s passing.

“Again, when the service is held they will fly at half mast.”

Mr Andrews said it was “very challenging” for Ms Kirner to take the reins as premier when she did, especially as the first woman to hold that office.

“When you are elevated to this office in very difficult circumstances well, it wasn’t easy. But never a complaint, no bitterness, no sense of focusing on herself,” he said.

He said the fact nine women were in the current state Cabinet was due to the work of Ms Kirner.

Meanwhile, tributes continue to flow for Ms Kirner.

Premier Daniel Andrews described the 76-year-old, as someone who “stood proud in the face of difficulty” and had been a tireless advocate for women and for education.

“She was our first female premier and because of her work, she won’t be the last,” Mr Andrews said.

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Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten said Ms Kirner had been an inspiration.

“Joan Kirner’s was a life lived for the transformative power of education: as a community advocate, parliamentarian, minister and premier of Victoria,” he said.

Ms Kirner led Labor in government from 1990 until 1992.

Ms Kirner pictured in her office in 1990.

Ms Kirner with then prime minister, Bob Hawke, in 1990.

Ms Kirner with Mr Hawke and the other premiers at a conference in 1990. Picture: Supplied

Ms Kirner’s colleagues elected her to take over from John Cain when he lost political support and resigned.

Facing an economic crisis and a mounting unemployment rate, she lost power in late 1992 to then Coalition leader Jeff Kennett.

Mr Cain, said she was “a champion for the cause of women in public life”.

“Despite her warrior-like attitudes to some causes — conservation, forests, equality, education — she just knew that getting public policy implemented was the only way you could get something done,” Mr Cain said.

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard praised Ms Kirner’s commitment to social justice.

“For a generation of Labor women, including me, she was an inspiration and a mentor,” Ms Gillard said.

“We admired her stoicism. We celebrated her policy achievements. We were guided by her wisdom.”

Ms Kirner with former prime minister Paul Keating.

Ms Kirner remained a passionate Labor supporter after leaving office.

Ms Kirner with then Governor-General Quentin Bryce after being named a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Ms Gillard said Victoria’s first female premier “was one of the dominant influences on my life” and that she had the opportunity to see her on Friday “to say what needs to be said between friends when time comes to say goodbye”.

Former premier Steve Bracks said the woman he replaced in the seat of Williamstown would be remembered as a caring leader who took over as premier in a turbulent time for the state.

He said her changes to the education system, including overhauling the school testing regime in the late 1980s would be a lasting legacy.

“She hated unfairness,” Mr Bracks said.

“She was about social inclusion and social justice, and set about her whole life to redress wrongs.”

Ms Kirner was born in 1938 to fitter and turner John Hood and music teacher Beryl Cole.

After graduating as a teacher from the University of Melbourne, she became a community activist and led various school representative groups in the 1970s.

Former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner.

Ms Kirner on her wedding day.

Ms Kirner is survived by her husband Ron, their three children, and four grandchildren.

She was first elected to the Legislative Council in 1982.

She entered Cabinet as conservation minister in 1985, before shifting to the Legislative Assembly in 1988.

After bowing out of politics in 1994, Ms Kirner remained active, continuing to campaign for women’s rights and environmental action. In 2012, she was named a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Ms Kirner was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2013, and died yesterday afternoon surrounded by friends and family.

She is survived by her husband, Ron, their three children, and four grandchildren.