New MP reveals cancer diagnosis in powerful maiden speech

Two weeks ago, just days after being sworn in to parliament, Peta Murphy received devastating news. Today she opened up about her struggle.

Peta Murphy delivering her maiden speech. Picture: Kym Smith

Two weeks ago, just days after being sworn in to parliament, 45-year-old Labor MP Peta Murphy was told her breast cancer had returned.

Today she rose to deliver an emotional maiden speech, drawing both tears and laughter from her colleagues in the House of Representatives and her family and friends watching from the gallery above.

“You might say Murphy’s Law strikes again,” Ms Murphy said.

“But my mother Jan, who is a Murphy by marriage, not birth, and is therefore able to adopt a less pessimistic personal motto, would say everything happens for a reason.”

Ms Murphy, a former lawyer, barrister and political staffer, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2011. She overcame that initial challenge.

When she won the seat of Dunkley at the election in May, becoming the first Labor candidate to do so in more than 20 years, she believed she was “in the clear”.

Now Ms Murphy is facing another daunting fight — but she realises she isn’t alone.

“Cancer Australia estimates that in 2019 just over 19,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 145,000 Australians will be diagnosed with some form of cancer,” she said in her speech today.

“I am neither unique nor alone, but I am someone who has a platform I can use to benefit others. And as long as the people of Dunkley continue to vote for me to represent them, I intend to use it.”

Ms Murphy urged Australians to take the threat of cancer seriously. Picture: Kym Smith

She urged Australians to take the threat of cancer seriously and told her new colleagues to prioritise health policy.

“I’m going to start by saying this today. Ladies, check your breasts. Men, stop ignoring what your body’s telling you,” Ms Murphy said.

“Fellow members of this parliament, listen to the experts who warn that the promise of universal healthcare is under threat. Commit to the reform and funding that our health system needs. And do whatever is required to ensure that Australia trains, retains and invests in the healthcare professionals and researchers who make our system great.”

Ms Murphy echoed the words of Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos, who told parliament “cancer really sucks” in a similarly emotional speech after returning from 18 months away fighting stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

“Cancer sucks. The treatments can make you sick. Sometimes you are scared, sometimes you are angry. In my experience, often you are both at the same time,” she said, opening up about the personal toll cancer can take.

“You worry about how your friends and family are coping. You value their support but resent the fact that you need it.”

She thanked her family and friends, particularly her husband Rod, for their support.

Warringah MP Zali Steggall, who defeated former prime minister Tony Abbott at the election, also delivered her maiden speech this morning.

Zali Steggall after delivering her maiden speech. Picture: Kym Smith

Ms Steggall thanked her supporters in the gallery, saying voters were passionate about having politicians who were “moderates with a heart”.

She called for the declaration of a “climate emergency”, rejecting the idea that action on climate change was an issue of the political left.

The independent MP cited the British government as an example for Australia to follow.

“We can and must respond with the same determination and urgency,” she said.

“Two-thirds of Australians see global warming as a significant and pressing problem. It is time to reflect on this with bipartisanship.

“I refuse to be part of the generation that had all the facts but failed to take meaningful action.

“The cost of inaction is so great. It is unthinkable that a Coalition government, driven by ideals of reducing national debt, would consider burdening future generations with the greatest debt ever.”

Another prominent new MP, Liberal Dave Sharma, addressed parliament this evening.

Mr Sharma won back Malcolm Turnbull’s old seat, Wentworth, from independent Kerryn Phelps, having initially lost to her at the by-election last October.

“My story, and all the other stories out there like it, would - I am quite certain - only be possible in Australia,” Mr Sharma said.

“In my own case, to go from being an immigrant to Australia to an ambassador for Australia, and now a member of our federal parliament, within one generation.

Liberal Member for Wentworth Dave Sharma. Picture: AAP

“Twenty years spent representing Australia overseas taught me two important lessons. First, that Australia is the best country in the world - without question. Second, that nations are fragile - and we can never afford to take Australia’s success for granted.

“Our strategic holiday is over. Our neighbourhood is getting tougher; the certainties on which we’ve depended for decades are no longer so certain; and we will need to rely more on ourselves, and less on others, in safeguarding our freedoms and our independence.”