‘Light up a room’: Victorian Minister Jane Garrett dies, aged 49

Daniel Andrews has offered the family of Jane Garrett a state funeral after she lost her battle with cancer.

A state funeral has been offered to the family of former Victorian government minister Jane Garrett.

Ms Garrett died aged 49 after a battle with cancer, her family confirmed on Saturday evening.

After more than a decade in politics Ms Garrett was due to leave parliament at this November’s state election.

In a statement, Premier Daniel Andrews said she was a passionate advocate who lived a life of service to Victoria.

“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.

On behalf of the Victorian Government and the Parliamentary Labor Party, I offer our deep condolences to Jane’s family, friends and colleagues – and all those who knew and loved her.

Vale Jane Garrett. pic.twitter.com/PLpwRmXAkf

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) July 2, 2022

He hoped Ms Garrett’s family would accept a state funeral as “a fitting way to mark her significant contribution to Victoria”.

Ms Garrett leaves behind three children, Molly, 19, Sasha, 15, and Max, 10.

She entered parliament as the member for Brunswick in 2010 and was and was the minister for emergency services, consumer affairs, gaming and liquor regulation.

She died after a battle with breast cancer. Picture: David Caird

But she resigned from cabinet when Daniel Andrews‘s government tried to push through an enterprise bargaining agreement for firefighters, which she said she could not support.

Following a bitter preselection, the mother of three moved to the upper house in 2018, representing eastern Victoria.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan tweeted that Ms Garrett was a hardworking MP “who fought for working people for her entire career.”

Heartbreaking news about Jane Garrett tonight.

Jane would light up any room she walked into; she had that rare ability to do it even on a zoom call.

One of a kind.

My heartfelt condolences to James, Molly, Sasha, Max and extended family. pic.twitter.com/aQG9NFwjqz

— Ben Carroll (@BenCarrollMP) July 2, 2022

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said she could “light up any room she walked into”.

“One of a kind,” he tweeted.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy described her as “bold and brave”.

“She won’t be forgotten. May she rest in peace.”