Former Labor advisor Simon Banks says the tragic passing of Labor member for Dunkley Peta Murphy at the age of 50 after a long battle with breast cancer is a “great loss” for parliament.
Ms Murphy was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and was then rediagnosed in 2019.
She was the first female to win the seat of Dunkley after being elected in 2019 and the first Labor member since 1996.
“Unfortunately for her, the breast cancer came back, she’s been very sick as we know … she's been busy at work [and] most recently brought down a major report into gambling advertising which the government is now considering,” Mr Banks told Sky News Australia.
“She was a trooper – I’ve known her for 25 years.
“She was whip-smart, really fun person to be around, fierce intellect and a great contributor – a genuine true believer and it’s a great loss.”
