Victorian MP Jane Garrett dies of breast cancer

Former Andrews government cabinet minister Jane Garrett has died after a return of the cancer first diagnosed in 2016

Former Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett has died of breast cancer. Picture: AAP Image/Angus Livingston

Jane Garrett, a Victorian Labor MP, former Andrews government minister and mother of three, has died of breast cancer aged 49.

Ms Garrett spent 12 years in Victoria’s parliament, including a controversial period as emergency services minister.

First diagnosed with cancer in 2016, Ms Garrett had been in remission, but her family announced on Saturday she had succumbed to a return of the ­disease.

“We are devastated by the passing this afternoon of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, dear friend Jane Garrett, following a long battle with cancer,” the family said.

“Unfortunately, Jane’s cancer recently returned after some time in remission, and she was admitted to hospital earlier this week.”

They described her as having a “contagious love of life and people” and being a “fierce advocate for women and those most disadvantaged.”

Ms Garrett is survived by husband James and three children, Molly, 19, Sasha, 15, and Max, 10.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said Ms Garrett was a “passionate advocate for the rights of working people and spent her career fighting for safer secure jobs. I offer our deep condolences to Jane’s family, friends and colleagues, and all who knew and loved her,” he said.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said Ms Garrett was “formidable” and had been taken too early. “This is a deep loss to both our country and the Labor movement,” he said.

Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks, for whom Ms Garrett worked as a senior adviser before running for parliament, said her death was “a devastating loss … Jane was highly intelligent and determined to make the world a better place.

“She did that. She didn’t waste a minute. She lived a life of service, as a lawyer, adviser, mayor, member of parliament and minister. The Labor movement has lost a true champion,” he said.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said Ms Garrett would be sorely missed on both sides of politics. “Jane was approachable and intelligent, a bold minister who wasn’t intimidated or frightened to stand up for her principles,” he said.

Ms Garrett won the lower house seat of Brunswick in 2010 and quickly rose into a cabinet position in 2014. It was her stint in the emergency services portfolio that proved most difficult as she engaged in a political battle with the firefighters union over pay and conditions that led to her being politically sidelined and later to claims of bullying.

Mr Andrews has offered Ms Garrett’s family a state funeral.