Late Labor MP Peta Murphy’s husband Rod Glover speaks at community memorial event

The 50-year-old federal Labor MP died last week after a fight with metastatic breast cancer.

The husband of the late federal Labor MP Peta Murphy has paid tribute to his wife at a memorial service held in her electorate of Dunkley.

Rod Glover, the husband of the late Peta Murphy, addressed members of the Dunkley and the broader community after an emotional funeral service at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Mr Glover, who was Ms Murphy’s husband of more than two decades, said his wife left the world the way she had lived, with “dignity, courage, and sarcasm”.

“I’ve been so lucky to share most of my adult life with the love of my life,” he said.

Mr Glover was married to Peta Murphy for 24 years. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui/NCA NewsWire.

Ms Murphy, who represented the Victorian seat of Dunkley, died on December 4, aged 50 after a long battle with cancer.

Her husband said when Ms Murphy found out that her cancer returned, she had one goal: to reach her 50th birthday.

“She managed that just a few weeks ago when we gathered with family and friends in Frankston,” he said.

Mr Glover said he couldn’t help but feel like “we’ve all been robbed a little” by Ms Murphy’s illness.

“I wish we could all have seen more of what my wife could have done had she’d been healthier,” he said.

A large crowd gathered for the service. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui/NCA NewsWire.

First elected in 2019, Ms Murphy’s breast cancer returned just two weeks before she was sworn in to parliament.

The squash champion and former softball national league player was remembered by her colleagues as “brilliant” and “no accidental champion” at her funeral in Melbourne this week.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, former prime minister Julia Gillard and former premier Steve Bracks were among the political figures, family and friends who gathered to say goodbye.

Mr Albanese described her as a person who “believed in the battle of ideas, and the battle of ideals.”

“We will keep the glow of Peta Murphy in our hearts,” he said.

“We will hold her inspiration and example in our minds.

“She will be a cherished member of our family, forever.”