Victorian Labor MP Peta Murphy dies, aged 50

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has choked back tears as he shared news of the death of much-loved Labor MP Peta Murphy, following her long battle with cancer.

Dunkley MP Peta Murphy has died after a long battle with cancer.

Her husband of 24 years, Rod, along with her parents and her sisters were by her side.

A tearful Anthony Albanese said: “Every one of us in the Labor family is broken hearted by the death of our beloved Peta Murphy.

“Peta Murphy was brave, she was courageous, and she was loved,” the Prime Minister said.

“Peta Murphy was the strongest of local members, the most inspiring of colleagues and the very best kind of friend.

“To attend a community event with Peta was to bask in her glow. 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.”

Mr Albanese said from the squash court to the law courts to the House of representatives, Ms Murphy had helped lead the charge for important reforms, including reducing the harm from online gambling, and a national registry for metastatic cancer patients.

Dunkley MP Peta Murphy in Parliament earlier this year. Picture: Gary Ramage

He said she travelled to Canberra last week to launch a report with the Breast Cancer Network Australia despite being unwell and going through a range of treatments.

The Prime Minister also recounted her “remarkable first speech” in 2019 where, after being told her cancer had returned just two weeks before being sworn in to the parliament, she said: “I’m neither unique nor alone in the fight I’m about to take on”.

“It was the best first speech I have ever heard,” Mr Albanese said.

“While Peta’s was a life so very well lived, it is hard to come to terms with the fact that she’s no longer with us. Passing at just 50 years of age, far too young, with so much more to offer.”

Dunkley Labor MP Peta Murphy has died, following a battle with cancer. Picture: Tony Gough

Her husband, Rod, and her family thanked everyone who had passed on their best wishes to Peta in recent times.

Ms Murphy became the member for the seat of Dunkley in 2019.

Her death will spark a by-election in the seat, which Labor holds on a 6.27 per cent margin.

Leader of the government in the Senate, Senator Penny Wong, offered her deepest sympathies during an emotional tribute before Question Time on Monday.

Senator Wong said she represented the Dunkley community with “passion and determination” throughout her illness, adding he strength was unmatched.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said it was an honour to know and to work with Ms Murphy.

“She’s had a remarkable career both in politics and the law. She’s been a strong advocate for her community and a strong advocate for women’s health,” Mr Marles said.

Politicians from across the aisle have paid tribute to Ms Murphy saying she will be missed.

Premier Jacinta Allan described Ms Murphy as a “fabulous woman” and said she had made a “big difference” to the community.

“Peta brought such energy, such drive, such intellect and passion to her role as a member of parliament,” she said.

“She’s made a big difference for her community, for her state and her country,

“It’s just deeply, deeply sad to lose such a strong woman who made a big difference in our community.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton also paid tribute to Ms Murphy, a girl from Wagga, whose road to parliament was paved by the inspiration she drew from the Hawke and Keating governments.

Mr Dutton said she “unquestionably lived up” to the aspirations she had set about becoming a parliamentarian who enlarged our national imagination and promoted robust debates and ideas.

He said her unrelenting advocacy for awareness-raising, treatment and funding for breast cancer “was one of her many fine contributions to public life”.

“For anyone who was on the opposing side of politics to Peta and sat on the opposite side of the chamber to her, it was impossible not to be impressed by the heartfelt and heroic way she spoke about causes dear to her: bettering the lives of women, children and families,” he said.

“On behalf of the Coalition, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Peta’s family, friends and Labor Party colleagues.”

Ms Murphy has helped lead the charge for many important reforms. Picture: Gary Ramage

Greens leader Adam Bandt said even before she entered Parliament, Ms Murphy was “respected in Victoria as a fighter for people’s rights”.

“We’re all poorer without her,” Mr Bandt said.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said Ms Murphy was a fighter, whose commitment to public duty was “exemplary and admirable”.

Menzies MP Keith Wolahan said Ms Murphy was a “person of character and principle” that was always thinking of others.

Teal MP Dr Monique Ryan said the parliament had lost one of its “best and bravest”, adding Ms Murphy was “smart, insightful, calm and kind”.

Former Dunkley MP Bruce Billson said Ms Murphy’s death was a “tragic loss” for the nation.

“Dunkley has lost a warrior for our community,” he posted on X.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said Ms Murphy was a “beautiful human who cared deeply about working people”.

Gippsland MP Darren Chester has remembered Ms Murphy as a “true champion for the battlers” across Australia.

Mr Chester who was a parliamentary representative alongside Ms Murphy at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last year fondly recalled her joking that they had been chosen “because I’m the cancer chick and the Nats don’t want you in the country”.

“My greatest regret is we didn’t forge our friendship earlier in our Parliamentary careers and I know her loss will be felt keenly across the chamber,” Mr Chester said.

“Peta inspired us with her determination to keep fighting for causes she believed in and her leadership in adversity will never be forgotten.”