Federal Labor MP Peta Murphy has died at the age of 50 after a long battle with cancer.
Murphy, the Member for Dunkley, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at just 37 years of age.
A tearful Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced her death in a press conference in Canberra a short time ago.
“A short time ago Peta Murphy passed away at home, which was her wish,” he said.
“Her husband of 24 years, Rod, was with her, along with her parents, and her sisters.
“Every one of us in the Labor family is brokenhearted.”
Murphy underwent a double mastectomy but her cancer returned in 2019, just days before she was sworn in as an MP.
The prime minister referred to Murphy’s maiden speech to parliament, which she gave shortly after finding out her cancer was metastatic.
“Peta received the news her cancer had returned two weeks prior to being sworn in as an MP,” he said.
“In her remarkable first speech in the parliament she said: ‘I am neither unique nor alone in the fight I am about to take on’.
“In so many wonderful ways, Peta was unique.
“But as someone who inspired such affection and respect in the hearts of so many, she was never alone.”
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Albanese said Murphy channelled her battle with cancer battle into her policymaking.
”Like all of us who served alongside her, the people Peta represented admired her determination, they respected her passion, and they responded above all to her absolute authenticity,” he said.
“It was always clear just how much Peta cared for her community, her colleagues, and our country.
“She helped lead the charge for important reforms like reducing the harm from online gambling, because she understood the greatest privilege of public office is the opportunity to make a difference.”
Leading the outpouring of tributes, Defence Minister Richard Marles described Murphy as “one of the bravest people I have ever met”.
”It was an honour to know and work with Peta Murphy,” he tweeted.
“She was asking questions in Question Time just last week. Her time in the Parliament has been an inspiration to us all.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said immense sadness came with Murphy’s passing.
“It’s hard to convey just how wonderful Peta Murphy was, an absolute gem of a person, so kind and so compassionate, so fun and so real,” he said.
Greens leader Adam Bandt said it was “devastating news”.
“Even before she entered Parliament, Peta was respected in Victoria as a fighter for people’s rights. We’re all poorer without her,” he said.
“Our condolences to her family, friends and the broader Labor movement.”
