State funeral to be held for Labor MP Jane Garrett

The life and contributions of Labor MP Jane Garrett will be commemorated at a state funeral after she died of breast cancer on Saturday.

Former Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett has died from cancer. Picture: David Caird

Heartfelt tributes have flowed for “gutsy” and well-loved former Labor minister and mum of three, Jane Garrett, who died from cancer aged just 49.

Jane Garrett’s family has accepted Daniel Andrews’ offer of a state funeral, which came within hours of her passing.

The Premier said details of the service to “mark her life and contribution to our state” would be finalised in coming days.

Ms Garrett, a Victorian MP since 2010 and a Labor member since 1997, died on Saturday night.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and had recently struggled with further health concerns.

After a decade in politics, she announced last year she would not contest the 2022 state election in a bid to further the rejuvenation of the party.

Ms Garrett’s family confirmed her death in a statement.

“We are devastated by the passing this afternoon of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, dear friend Jane Garrett, following a long battle with cancer,” they said.

“Unfortunately, Jane’s cancer recently returned after some time in remission, and she was admitted to hospital earlier this week.

“We wish to thank the staff at the Epworth Freemasons for their love and care of Jane over the last years and in particular over the past week.

Jane Garrett with husband James Higgins and their children Sasha, Max, and Molly. Picture: David Caird

“We will remember Jane always for her contagious love of life and people; her intense compassion and the drive which made her a very fierce advocate for women and those most disadvantaged. Her intellect, wit and generosity are irreplaceable, and her loss leaves a huge hole in the Garrett family.

“Jane leaves behind her three children, Molly aged 19, Sasha aged 15 and Max aged 10. The Garrett family’s priority is on their welfare at this impossibly difficult time for them. Therefore we ask that our privacy be respected at this time.”

They said the family was working through funeral arrangements and would make another statement once these details were finalised.

Mr Andrews said he was saddened to hear of Ms Garrett’s death.

“I cannot imagine the grief her family, particularly her three children, must be feeling at this incredibly difficult time – my thoughts are with them,” he said.

“Jane was a passionate advocate for the rights of working people and spent her career fighting for safer, secure jobs.

“Her commitment to education, equality and social justice for all was clear.

“Jane lived a life of service to the labour movement, to the Labor Party, and to our state.”

Friends and colleagues also paid tribute to Ms Garrett.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said the death of Ms Garrett was a “deep loss to both our country and the Labor movement”.

“Jane’s career was formidable – her dedication to serving Victoria, fighting for safe and secure jobs, and commitment to education and equality was clear for all to see,” he said.

“She was an exceptional talent with a rare eloquence.”

Jane Garrett’s family have thanked staff at the Epworth Freemasons.

“Jane has been taken from us far too early … Our thoughts are with her family in this very difficult time.”

Former premier Steve Bracks said he was deeply saddened by Ms Garrett’s death, after she had worked as an adviser in his office.

“Jane was a passionate member of the Labor movement,” he said.

“For four years, she was a senior adviser to me when I was Premier of Victoria.

“Jane was highly intelligent and determined to make the world a better place.

“She did that. She didn’t waste a minute. She lived a life of service, as a lawyer, adviser, mayor, member of parliament and minister.

“The Labor movement has lost a true champion. Her family’s loss is beyond words. Vale Jane Garrett.”

Fallen Labor powerbroker Adem Somyurek, who had once formed a factional alliance with Ms Garrett, said she “should have been our second female premier”.

He praised her sharp intellect, her compassion and her “strong sense of justice”.

Fellow upper house Labor MP and close friend Mark Gepp said Victoria had “lost a fierce advocate for fairness and equality”.

“And I have lost my closest and dearest friend in the parliament,” he said.

“It was a great privilege to first work with Jane as her Senior Adviser in Emergency Services and then to sit next to her in the parliament.

“My heart is broken today for James and her three beautiful children. Rest In Peace my friend.”

I am very very sorry to hear of the passing of my dear friend Jane. Love and long life to James, Sasha, Max and Molly pic.twitter.com/qY6kgMtwT6

— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) July 2, 2022

Keysborough MP and former minister Martin Pakula posted a tribute to his close friend online.

“I am very very sorry to hear of the passing of my dear friend Jane. Love and long life to James, Sasha, Max and Molly,” he said.

Former health minister Jenny Mikakos also passed on her condolences.

“I’m greatly shocked and saddened that Jane Garrett has lost her battle with breast cancer at 49,” she said.

“She was a Labor warrior who was unwavering in fighting for what she believed in.”

Former RTBU boss and now Labor candidate for Kororoit, Luba Grigorovitch, said Ms Garrett was a role model for young women.

“Jane was a wonderful person who was always very positive and an amazing mum to her three beautiful children,” she said.

“Jane was a great mentor to many young women and always treated each and every person equally.

“Jane would light up the room when she entered with her gregarious personality and charm and will be very sadly missed by her many friends.”

Jane Garrett’s passing is immensely sad news. She was bold and brave. She won’t be forgotten. May she Rest In Peace.

— Matthew Guy MP (@MatthewGuyMP) July 2, 2022

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said Ms Garrett had friends on all sides of politics and would be sorely missed.

“Jane was approachable and intelligent, a bold Minister who wasn’t intimidated or frightened to stand up for her principles,” he said.

“Never frightened to say what she believed, Jane had many friends (on) all sides of the parliament.

“Jane also had many, many friends and admirers across Victoria, particularly throughout the CFA. There are many volunteers who have openly told me of their admiration for Jane during her time as Minister.

“The parliament will be a lesser place without Jane Garrett. We will all miss her.”

Kew MP Tim Smith said he was devastated by the news.

“Jane was one of the best people I’ve ever met,” he said.

“She could light up a room like no one else, and was one of the most principled politicians this country has seen for decades.”

Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick said he had lost a friend.

“When I entered the parliament it was Jane Garrett I was sat next to,” he said.

“ She taught me procedure, we swapped bad jokes, and she stole my pens.

“I’ll miss her and my thoughts tonight are with her family. Rest well comrade.”

Tonight a friend has passed away. When I entered the Parliament it was Jane Garrett I was sat next to. She taught me procedure, we swapped bad jokes, and she stole my pens. I'll miss her and my thoughts tonight are with her family. Rest well comrade.

— Andy Meddick MP (@AndyMeddickMP) July 2, 2022

Ms Garrett has served as the member for Brunswick and for Eastern Victoria, as Emergency Services Minister and as parliamentary secretary for jobs.

She had also been the national vice president of the Australian Labor Party.

When she announced her retirement last year, the upper house MP said it was a privilege to serve her constituents.

“I’ve been welcomed into people’s homes, their businesses, schools and community groups and I thank each and everyone I’ve met and worked with on the way,” she said at the time.

“From huge investments in local schools, to upgrading and supporting community sporting facilities, to participating in policy development at the highest level of the party, and to standing with our movement to fight for equality, respect, human and industrial rights.

“These are some of the things I feel most proud about.

“I’m grateful I was able to walk this journey with so many wonderful people. And to those who are coming after I wish you the very best.

“Finally thank you to my three beautiful children who are the great joys of my life.”

Ms Garrett had also worked as a lawyer and as a senior Adviser in the office of then-premier Steve Bracks before being elected to parliament in the seat of Brunswick in 2010.

Ms Garrett visits the fire devastated area of Wye River in 2015 with Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Jason Sammon

Within the Labor Party and union and movement, she was regarded as a strong mentor to women.

Viewed as a rising star and at one point a future premier, Ms Garrett dealt with a tumultuous battle between the United Firefighters Union and the state government.

She resigned from her senior role as the fire services dispute unfolded because she refused to support the government’s proposal to end the bitter pay dispute.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allen said Ms Garrett was a “hardworking MP”.

“She fought for working people for her entire career,” she said.

“My thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.”

Jeff Kennett said Ms Garrett’s family had “every reason to be proud of the example she set of political responsibility”.

The former Premier referenced the battle between the United Firefighters Union and the state government Ms Garrett found herself at the centre of as Emergency Services Minister.

Independent MP and former Labor MP Kaushaliya Vaghela remembered Ms Garrett as an “extremely intelligent person” and as a politician with “high integrity”.

“I had utmost respect for this brave woman who was gutsy to stand up for her principles,” she said. “A rarity in politics.”

Ms Garrett was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and had recently struggled with further health concerns.

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said Ms Garrett was “one of a kind”, sharing a photo of the two of them laughing on a video call.

“Jane would light up any room she walked into,” he said.

“She had that rare ability to do it even on a Zoom call.”

He said the Labor family was in mourning.

“Jane has been a wonderful servant to the Labor movement, whether it was as a mayor, whether it was as a Labor lawyer, whether it was serving as a Minister, or indeed she also served in both chambers of the parliament,” he said.

Addressing the media on Saturday morning, Mr Carroll could not confirm whether her family had accepted the Premier’s offer of a state funeral yet.

But he said he did not believe Ms Garrett was bullied by union officials or government colleagues during her time as Emergency Services Minister, when a battle between the United Firefighters Union and the state government broke out.

“I never saw anything of that sort. I sat next to Jane in the parliament,” he said.

“I saw someone who was strong, who was independent, free of mind and did everything she could to better the lives of working Victorians.”

He added that the state government would continue to consider “all options” when it came to releasing a Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission report into bullying and sexism in the fire services.