Tears for Peta Murphy: Australia’s most powerful people mourn breast cancer patient Labor MP – as Anthony Albanese’s joke about her favorite sport leaves the audience in stitches

The late Labor MP Peta Murphy has said goodbye in a moving ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The sports-loving politician, who represented the Victorian seat of Dunkley, tragically died on December 4 after a long battle with cancer.

Senior Labor politicians, including Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, fought back tears during the service.

They were joined by Attorney General Mark Dreyfus, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Sports Minister Anika Wells and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also in the crowd and gave a moving speech in which he paid tribute to his “brilliant, funny, courageous” colleague.

He said: ‘It is so hard, so cruel, so unfair to think that we will never see her bright and beaming smile again’

“We will never be told that we are making fun of squash again,” he said, laughing.

“Every tribute to Peta has rightly spoken of how hard she worked, how much she achieved in such a short time, how much better her community and the nation were because of her contribution.

“Australia has been denied more of what Peta had to offer.”

Senior Labor politicians, including Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, fought back tears during the service

First elected in 2019, Ms Murphy’s breast cancer returned just two weeks before she was sworn into Parliament.

She was a squash champion and former national league softball player representing the NSW, ACT and Victoria at various levels, going on to win gold medals at the Australian Masters, US Masters and World Masters Games.

Off the court, her positions include president of Squash and Racquetball Victoria and vice-president of Squash Australia.

Ms. Murphy also served on the World Squash Federation Governance and Audit Committee.

The Victorian lawyer was honored with condolence speeches in Parliament earlier this month.

Senior Labor politicians, including Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, fought back tears during the service

Anthony Albanese led the speeches and promised that parliament would hold the glow of the late MP in their hearts

As he led the speeches, Mr Albanese vowed that Ms Murphy’s parliamentary colleagues would keep the late MP’s glow in their hearts.

He praised her courage in choosing not to hide her treatment despite losing her hair.

“She wanted to make it clear that cancer can affect anyone, MPs, whatever job you have,” he told radio 2GB on Friday morning.

“She was just a strong advocate, a courageous, brilliant young woman who died far too soon.

“I’m sure members from across the political spectrum will be at the MCG this afternoon.”

Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor will attend the funeral of his former chief of staff, as will a number of staffers in his office who worked with her.

“Peta was a remarkable person and a generous friend,” he said. ‘She was brilliant, funny and brave. She will be terribly missed.”

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Sports Minister Anika Wells and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles were also in attendance.

Senior Labor Ministers arrive at the service