- After fighting metastatic breast cancer for a while, 50-year-old federal Labor MP Peta Murphy passed away last week.
- Murphy was initially diagnosed with the disease in 2011.
- At the World, US, and Australian Masters Games, she took home gold medals.
After fighting metastatic breast cancer for a while, 50-year-old federal Labor MP Peta Murphy passed away last week. Her funeral was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and notable politicians, family members, and friends in attendance included Anthony Albanese, former prime minister Julia Gillard, and former premier Steve Bracks.
Two weeks before her election as a Member of Parliament, Murphy received news that her breast cancer had returned. Murphy was initially diagnosed with the disease in 2011.
Anthony Albanese
Murphy broke the news during her first speech to the legislature, promising to utilize her position to help others. Chief Executive Kirsten Pilatti of Breast Cancer Network Australia stated that Murphy’s story demonstrated that “you can be living with, not dying from, metastatic breast cancer.”
She made use of her sad diagnosis to increase awareness of the metastatic population, impact the powerful, and generate meaningful change. Before being elected to parliament, Murphy practiced law as a lawyer and as a Victorian public defender. He then served as Labor frontbencher Brendan O’Connor’s chief of staff.
Murphy played squash competitively and represented Victoria, the ACT, and NSW at the junior and senior levels.At the World, US, and Australian Masters Games, she took home gold medals.
In addition, she served as vice president of Squash Australia, president of Squash and Racquetball Victoria, and a member of the audit and governance committees of the World Squash Federation.
Murphy served as the MP’s head of a parliamentary committee that suggested the federal government implement a complete, phased-in ban on internet gambling advertising within three years.
Along with her two canines, Bert and Ernie, Murphy leaves behind her spouse Rod, as well as family members Bob, Jan, Jodi, Penni, and Murphy.
