Fiona Patten reveals cancer diagnosis

Crossbench MP Fiona Patten has revealed she has cancer and will undergo emergency surgery within weeks.

Fiona Patten will have one of her kidney’s removed.

Minor party upper house MP Fiona Patten has revealed she has cancer and will undergo emergency surgery within the coming weeks.

In a shock announcement late on Tuesday afternoon the crossbench member from Vote Reason revealed she would have one of her kidneys removed but that she still hoped to keep her seat in the upcoming November State Election and would campaign during her recovery.

“With an election just around the corner, the timing of this is unfortunate but any cancer diagnosis is never timely,” she said.

“My prognosis is good; the belief is that the disease has not spread and that I should make a quick and full recovery.

So many of us are touched by cancer these days – as patients, friends, relatives, carers, and health and medical staff. I have wonderful support medically and personally and realise how lucky I am in this respect.”

Ms Patten is well known for getting the Labor Government to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to keep invasive pro-life protesters at bay.

She also featured prominently in the votes to pass the controversial State of emergency legislation during the pandemic.

Originally published as Fiona Patten reveals cancer diagnosis