Peta Murphy dies: Anthony Albanese breaks down as he announces her death
Labor politician Peta Murphy has died aged 50 after a battle with breast cancer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was overcome with emotion as she announced her death on Monday afternoon.
“She was here in Canberra last week. She was clearly not doing well,” he said.
“We will always carry her glow in our hearts.”
Ms Murphy had been a member for Dunkley, south-east of Melbourne.
Labor politician Peta Murphy has died aged 50 after a battle with breast cancer
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was overcome with emotion as she announced her death on Monday afternoon
Ms Murphy is seen with Mr Albanese, who tearfully announced her death on Monday
“Throughout her entire contribution, while undergoing very difficult treatment, she never, ever talked about herself or asked for anything in particular,” Mr Albanese said.
‘She would apologize if she missed a day in Parliament.
“This parliament was a better place for the election of Peta Murphy to the House of Representatives. This country was a better nation because of her contributions.
‘May Peta Murphy rest in peace.’
Ms Murphy was just 37 when she underwent a double mastectomy in 2011 after being diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time.
She had just been elected federal member for Dunkley when the cancer returned eight years later in 2019.
“I have this unique platform of being in Federal Parliament and because I have metastatic breast cancer I should use this to try to make life better for other people,” Ms Murphy had previously told the Today show.
Peta Murphy (left) is pictured with Anthony Albanese at this year’s Australian Open
Ms Murphy was seen at Parliament House last Tuesday
‘Not everyone can continue to work and do what I do, but I want people to see that they are not alone. That’s why I decided to be so open and public about it.’
Her family shared a heartfelt statement about Ms. Murphy’s death on Monday.
Last Tuesday she had sat in Parliament House for Question Time before being admitted to hospital a day later.
“Peta left us this afternoon after spending her last days surrounded by family at home – just the way she wanted,” her family said.
‘We loved her very much and are so proud of her achievements, her character and her courage. She was indeed the strongest girl of all.
‘To the end she still gave brutal advice – she died as she lived – with dignity and strength and a touch of sarcasm to boot.’
She is remembered as a “wonderful” wife, daughter and sister.
Metastatic breast cancer is an incurable condition that spreads to other parts of the body.
Australian singer Olivia Newtown-John had an on-and-off battle with metastatic breast cancer for three decades before dying last August at the age of 73.
According to statistics, the five-year survival rate for women with metastatic breast cancer is 29 percent.