Brother of beloved Qld MP urges crowd to chase their dreams at touching memorial service

The Premier and a former prime minister were among the mourners who flocked to the Gabba to farewell a beloved MP who died of cancer.

Aside from his family, there were three things Duncan Pegg loved in life: chocolate, cricket and politics.

Family members of the beloved Queensland Labor MP paid tribute to his life before a crowd of brightly dressed mourners at the Gabba on Saturday morning.

Mourners at the funeral for MP Duncan Pegg. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Stretton MP succumbed to his battle with cancer earlier this month, just two months after he resigned from the government.

Younger brother Graham said Duncan’s legacy would live on, paying tribute to his caring and intelligent sibling.

Graham Pegg, Duncan Pegg’s brother, speaks at the public funeral on Saturday at the Gabba, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Graham said Duncan’s love of politics was evident after he organised a mock parliament in the school classroom, assigning everyone portfolios to the delight of his classmates.

Graham described cheeky memories of his older brother scoffing chocolate before being sick right before the family pulled out of the driveway on a trip – a feat that set a “new record” for his habitual carsickness.

Mourners after the service. Picture: Liam Kidston

He said his elder brother loved cricket so much he could remember details of “every match ever played”.

“Mum and Dad bought Duncan down to Brisbane when he was about 12 to watch his first cricket match, right here at the Gabba,” Graham said.

“It’s always been his special place. That’s the reason we’re all sitting here today.”

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Kevin Rudd, Jim Chalmers with wife Laura, Steven Miles and Grace Grace watch on. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland Cricket chief executive officer Terry Svenson laid a jersey on the coffin on behalf of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja, a close friend of Duncan’s until his death.

“If you’re sitting here today with a dream, a goal, an idea, just like Duncan, get organised and set about achieving it,” Graham told the crowd.

“Because if a boy from Rockhampton can be serving the most multicultural seat in Queensland parliament, rubbing shoulders with famous cricketers, albeit while enjoying out-of-date chocolate milk, then you can achieve anything too.”

Holy water is sprinkled on the casket. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk paid tribute to the “wonderful, wonderful man” who excelled at the “thrust and parry” of parliamentary debate.

She said he prided himself on the multiculturalism in his electorate and frequently spoke of the dignity and value of education and providing good jobs.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Pegg previously worked as a lawyer until his election in 2015.

In April, Mr Pegg had told parliament he had to step away from his role with a heavy heart due to medical advice.

Family and Labor figures have paid tribute to Duncan Pegg (centre) after he lost his battle with cancer earlier this month.

“I do not want to leave this place and cease representing the community that I love, but I know the decision to resign is the right one,” he said.

In his final address, Mr Pegg tearfully told Queensland parliament to consider the views of terminal illness patients when the time came to vote on the voluntary assisted dying legislation later this year.

Former Stretton MP Duncan Pegg announces he has cancer and will be taking leave to fight it during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane.

“I speak as someone who has been fighting cancer for 18 months, who 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; they fight to live every day. I personally fight to live every day.

“However, if you are diagnosed terminal, then you are going to face death. People with terminal illnesses won’t have an option.”

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said Duncan “met death with great human dignity” while offering his condolences to the Pegg family.

A younger Duncan had joined Mr Rudd’s team in the federal seat of Griffith and the pair remained close friends until his death.

Former PM Kevin Rudd. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Rudd shared a text exchange he had with Duncan before his death and was touched when the Stretton MP asked him to speak at the memorial service.

“Duncan was the standout, the class act … the reason was because Duncan was the genuine article, the real deal,” Mr Rudd said.

The crowd gathered at the Gabba. Picture: Liam Kidston

“He would always spontaneously go the extra mile, simply because he knew it was the right thing to do.”

As an MP, Duncan served as chair of the Tourism Development and Environment Committee.

In 2017 he received a public service award from the Queensland Intercultural Society.

Duncan Pegg (second left) poses with residents Amelia Goode, Katie Nann and Louise Nann, and Bridgette Godde in Drewvale.