Former Queensland MP Duncan Pegg loses cancer battle

Duncan Pegg, who was diagnosed with cancer in late 2019, passed away on Thursday morning. He was 40.

Labor member for Stretton Duncan Pegg resigned from parliament in April amid a terminal cancer diagnosis. Picture: Tara Croser

Queensland MP Duncan Pegg, aged 40, has died after a battle with cancer.

Mr Pegg, who was diagnosed in late 2019, passed away on Thursday morning.

The senior Labor backbencher had represented Stretton on Brisbane’s southside since 2015.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her colleague and friend battled cancer “with incredible bravery and grace”.
“I know this news will be felt particularly in Duncan’s electorate of Stretton,” she said in a statement.

“He was the common thread that united so many groups in his community. He loved them. And they loved him.

“Duncan’s work in the parliament earned respect across the political divide. He showed politics could be a force for good.”

In a statement released by his electorate office, Mr Pegg was remembered as a “tireless fighter for our local area”.

“Others will remember him as a passionate legal advocate for injured workers,” the statement read.

“And his family will remember him as a beloved son and brother.

“In his final months, Duncan spoke repeatedly of his great pride in the trust that the Stretton community placed in him over three separate elections.

“He often said that, in his role as Parliamentarian, his greatest support was from our local community. His greatest wish was that you would think the same of him.”

In a speech announcing his retirement to the Queensland parliament on April 22, Mr Pegg said he was sad to miss the conscience vote on voluntary euthanasia laws, expected later this year.

“I speak as someone who has been fighting cancer for 18 months, regularly attends a cancer centre and speaks to cancer patients with a terminal illness,” he said.

“Let’s be very clear, people with terminal illnesses don’t want to die. They want to live.“