Labor MP’s brave fight: Melissa McMahon battles brain cancer
Colleagues of Macalister MP Melissa McMahon are supporting the Labor member who has stepped back from parliamentary duties to battle brain cancer.
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Queensland Labor MP Melissa McMahon is taking an indefinite leave of absence from parliament to deal with brain cancer, sources have confirmed.
Ms McMahon, who has represented the electorate of Macalister since 2017, will not be attending the next parliamentary sittings as she focuses on her recovery.
Labor insiders say the decision was made after careful consideration of her wellbeing, with party colleagues offering their full support.
The respected MP, who is 48 and a mother of three, has been an advocate for mental health reform, domestic violence prevention, and law enforcement issues during her time in parliament.
She ran her first election race when pregnant, giving birth to number three months later.
As a former police officer, she brought first-hand experience to policy discussions and was instrumental in shaping government responses to these critical areas.
Two years ago she took a leave of absence after revealing a harrowing childhood of sexual abuse and was raped at age five.
She also made headlines in 2018 when she broke her hand and needed five stitches for a head wound after playing rugby league for the first time in nine years.
Her absence will be felt in parliament, particularly as the new state government navigates key legislative debates on crime and juvenile offenders.
“She is definitely tough and will fight to overcome this – and she expects to be back doing what she loves in her electorate,” one friend said.
While no official statement has been released by Ms McMahon, her colleagues have expressed their best wishes for her recovery and those in her electorate office said they hoped to see her return in the future.
Opposition leader Steven Miles and senior Labor MPs are expected to address the situation in the coming days, including who will manage her electorate duties during her leave.
Ms McMahon’s extended leave did raise questions about her long-term political future, but for now, colleagues say there are no plans for a by-election as her focus remains on her health.
Originally published as Labor MP’s brave fight: Melissa McMahon battles brain cancer
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