Labour MP Peta Murphy died of breast cancer year after year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the 50-year-old’s passing early on Monday, stating that she passed away in their family home with her spouse Rod by her side.
The disease returned in 2019 after she triumphed over her initial illness in 2011.
Her public persona has been committed to raising cancer awareness.
Mr. Albanese said that Ms. Murphy’s passing had left his administration “broken-hearted.”
He commended her for travelling to Canberra the previous week and using a House of Representatives question to bring attention to issues close to her heart.
“It was so true to Peta’s character that she channelled her personal battle with breast cancer into public policy, advocating always for others: for better treatment, more services, and stronger support,” Albanese said.
Two weeks before she was sworn in as a member of parliament in 2019, Peta received word that her cancer had come back. She said, “I am neither unique nor alone in the battle I am about to engage in,” during her historic first speech to the Parliament.
“Peta was extraordinary in a lot of beautiful ways. But because she had such a loving and respectful impact on so many people’s hearts, she was never truly alone.”
Ms. Murphy was a senior public defender and barrister for Victorian Legal Aid prior to her election to the legislature. She is also a very loving squash player.
Her husband of twenty-four years was Rod Glover.
Representative Ms. Murphy of the Mornington Peninsula, who recently took up dragon boating, selected the Hillary Clinton song “Fight Song” as her campaign theme for the 2016 US presidential election.
Read More
There was a treatment for Ms. Murphy’s metastatic breast cancer, but there was no known cure. A few years ago, her doctor changed her treatment from oral chemotherapy to intravenous chemotherapy, which she had on Fridays three times a week. This is when her hair started to come out.
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, has sent her condolences to Ms. Murphy’s family.
When Peta Murphy wrapped up her first speech in Parliament in 2019, she quoted Pippi Longstocking, who referred to herself as the “strongest girl in the world.” “Peta demonstrated to us what strong girls and women are genuinely capable of during her illustrious career and protracted battle,” said the speaker.
Pete never faltered in his commitment to doing his part to make a positive impact on people’s lives at work, not even as he boldly and confidently set out to grow his career in the public eye. She distinguished herself for Labour values and left a lasting legacy as a legislator and advocate.”
Mother Murphy’s inaugural speech ‘publicly shone a very brilliant light into a dark zone for those people coping with manageable but incurable breast cancer’, according to Kirsten Pilatti, CEO of Breast Cancer Network Australia.
“And while today is a very sad day and we are all grieving, it is also a powerful message to our network to say that every single person living with metastatic disease matters, and Peta really helped us bring that to life,” Pilatti said.
“This is the saddest of days for the Labour family,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong at a Senate session.
Throughout her sickness, Peta fought furiously and tenaciously for the dedication, adoration, and high regard of her people.
Read More
“Peta’s strength was unmatched, and she’ll be greatly missed by us all.”
Every member of parliament adored Ms. Murphy, and the parliamentary staff who collaborated with her on committees thought she was a special person in the legislature.
She was heavily involved in one of the parliament’s investigations into internet gambling, as well as actively participating in the Voice to Parliament referendum.
“Peta Murphy conducted herself as an exceptional member of parliament and particularly showed such strength, such grace, and such determination during her battle with cancer,” said Simon Birmingham, the front-runner for the Coalition, in his Senate testimony.
“We pay tribute to her.”
Labour Minister Anika Wells, seated behind Ms. Murphy, referred to her as “my exceptional friend” during her first statement before the assembly.
“Immortality sat uncomfortably, concurrently sentient of the injustice she was being cut down in the prime of her life, with a humility that resisted the adoration people constantly wanted to express for her,” Ms. Wells said on her Instagram account.
There was plenty to enjoy. What makes us unique is our conviction, persistence, wit, and missile-force wit.
“A disposition for intellectual openness, a generosity for the mistreated, and a fierceness loving those lucky enough to be in her love.”
Bruce Billson, a former Dunkley Liberal member, said on Twitter prior to the 2016 election, “We are all saddened by Peta Murphy’s passing.” She left behind an invaluable legacy for her friends, family, and our country. She also had a kind heart and a genuine desire to assist people. I offer Peta’s family my sympathies and best wishes. A community pillar has left Dunkley.
Due to Murphy’s passing, a byelection will be held in Melbourne’s Dunkley seat, which is currently leading by 6.27%.
Share this content: