New Labor MP Peta Murphy’s cancer returns

Dunkley MP Peta Murphy has used her maiden speech to urge Australians to get cancer checks.

Peta Murphy delivering her maiden speech in the House of Representatives. Picture: Kym Smith

New Labor MP Peta Murphy has pledged to fight the cancer which has returned just weeks after she was sworn into parliament, and used her maiden speech to urge Australians to get cancer checks.

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Ms Murphy was one of only three ALP members to defeat Liberal MPs at the last election when she took the Melbourne suburban seat of Dunkley.

But her new life as an MP was hit when it was revealed her breast cancer had returned.

“Two weeks ago, a week after being sworn in as the member for Dunkley, I received the unexpected news that my cancer had returned,” she told the House of Representatives.

“You might say ‘Murphy’s Law strikes again.’ But my mother Jane, who is a Murphy by marriage and therefore able to adopt a less pessimistic motto, would say ‘everything happens for a reason’.

Ms Murphy is congratulated after delivering her maiden speech. Picture: AAP

“I am neither unique nor alone in the fight I am about to take on.”

Ms Murphy promised to stay in parliament throughout her cancer battle and to use her power as an MP to advocate for others fighting the disease.

“But I am someone who has a platform that I can use to benefit others.

“And as long as the people of Dunkley continue to vote for me to represent them in this place, I intend to use it.

“I am going to start by saying this today. Ladies, check your breasts. Men, don’t ignore what your body is telling you.”