Jane Garrett remembered as passionate unionist, energetic politician at Victorian state memorial
Guests from across the political divide gather to honour former Victorian Labor MP Jane Garrett at an emotional state funeral.
Former Victorian Labor MP Jane Garrett has been remembered as a passionate supporter of the trade union movement and a politician dedicated to lifting up the powerless in an emotional final farewell.
A state memorial for Garrett was held at the Brunswick Town Hall, just north of the Melbourne CBD, and attended by hundreds from across the political divide including the Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy on Friday.
The service was held in honour of Garrett, who died following a private battle with breast cancer at 49-years-old in early July.
Her three children Molly, Sasha and Max attended the packed out gathering along with her husband James.
Former Premier Steve Bracks shared memories of Garrett, who was his adviser between 2000 and 2004.
“In her first parliamentary speech, Jane described how she and her sister Catherine grew up in a home teeming with visitors and where her parents held social justice group meetings every fortnight,” he said.
“They were regulars on the public demonstration circuit. “
Mr Bracks said he remembered being told former attorney general Rob Hulls was on the “warpath” because his office had scouted Garrett from Mr Hulls’ team.
“(Hulls) is furious. He said she is the smartest, most politically savvy, labor lawyer he’s come across. Jane joined my office,” he said.
You Am I front man Tim Rogers, who met Garrett through her sister when they studied together at law school, performed his band’s song Heavy Heart in a tribute to the former lawyer and member for Brunswick.
Friend and colleague Rail Tram and Bus Union’s state secretary Luba Grigorovitch told the crowd, which was spread across three rooms in the art deco hall, said Garrett was energetic and full of life when she met her as a volunteer at the 2010 election.
“Jane was a rock star. An incredibly energetic, super campaigner. Labor’s secret weapon in Brunswick which was becoming more and more difficult to hold,” she said.
“She was incredibly inclusive and generous. She wanted people to have fun.
“Jane valued opportunity and equality and she believed so strongly in lifting up those without power and speaking up for those without a voice.”
Politicians from both sides of the political divide attended the service including deputy premier Jacinta Allan, Aboriginal affairs minister Gabrielle Williams, former education minister James Merlino, Danny Pearson and Martin Pakula.
Outgoing Victorian Liberal MP Tim Smith, who has previously said he discovered news Garrett’s cancer had returned the same day he drunkenly crashed his car into a fence outside a house in Kew, also attended.
He said: “Jane was an extremely good and loyal friend and a very bad enemy. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and one hell of an opponent to her enemies externally and internally.
“Our parliament, state and indeed our country are poorer for her passing.”
Former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett and former Labor Premier John Brumby were among the crowd.
Garrett represented her community for 20 years as a local councillor, a lawyer and MP.
Her parliamentary career spanned two terms and started in 2010 as the member for Brunswick.
She served as the Consumer Affairs Minister, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister, Emergency Services Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Shadow Cabinet Secretary.
She was a lawyer at Slater and Gordon from 2004 to 2010 and was elected Mayor of Yarra City Council in 2010 at 37-years-old.
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