Zoe McKenzie (Flinders, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on this unfathomably sad condolence motion for the member for Dunkley, Peta Murphy. Peta was my neighbour, with Dunkley's southern border meeting the northern border of Flinders, and together we shared responsibility for the glorious Mornington Peninsula. For that reason, we interacted pretty regularly on infrastructure, on shire and developmental matters. We shared the boundless joy of citizenship ceremonies and the quiet glee and gratitude that together we looked after the most beautiful part of Australia.

Peta was awesome in every sense of the word. I first met her and her partner, Rod Glover, some 20-odd years ago when we were all kids in political terms. When I found her again here, she was formidable: established in her space, forceful in her passions, proud and persuasive in her achievements, and yet, from what I could sense, still as gleefully in love today as she was back then. You are a lucky bloke, Rod. I know it won't feel like it at the moment. Peta was remarkable and you are a lucky man.

She was equally a remarkable presence in this place. She listened to my speeches, often more closely than she should have. Every time there was a chink in the armour, a slight deviation from the party line, Peta would notice and often offer a quiet word of praise or encouragement. 'They need you,' she said one day over her shoulder. I'm not quite sure if that was praise for me or an attack on us, but I appreciated the fact that she listened and noticed and never ever let anything slip by.

A week ago, Peta and I were due to do a short video together promoting the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation gala dinner to be held at the Mornington Racecourse next year. Peta and her team had already committed to going, so we thought we'd give it a bit of a plug together and suggest people might want to buy a ticket for Christmas. I know she'd still want me to give that plug, and so I will. The inaugural Blue Ribbon Gala will be held on 27 July next year and will honour those who died serving their community. How very fitting. It will be the premiere event for the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation of the peninsula, and it will raise funds to provide two ECMO machines and trained specialists at Frankston Hospital, a place most dear to her. When Peta was laid low last week with fatigue, I said, 'Don't worry, Peta, we'll do the video together next week.' And so here it is. I am doing the video plug with Peta; I just really wish she were here. I hope our local community will get behind this cause in her honour. I know I will.

It is precisely because she was so persistently dedicated to the many causes around her, those that defined her in this place but also those which defined her locally as well, that in the last 48 hours I have reached out to those in our community and our community groups to whom she was so dear, to ask if I might carry their words into this place to ensure their gratitude for her contribution endures through time.

From our Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor, Simon Brooks:

Peta was a passionate champion for this region, and it was a privilege to work with her on a range of local issues.

We worked with Peta on matters such as road funding and public transport, and she was instrumental in helping Council forge valuable connections in Canberra.

One of the major projects we worked on with Peta is the redevelopment of Emil Madsen Recreation Reserve in Mount Eliza.

Peta worked hard to secure $15 million in Commonwealth funding for a major expansion of sporting infrastructure at the reserve.

As a result of Peta's advocacy for our community, the lives of countless local residents who use the reserve will be enriched for many years to come.

Her work ethic was inspiring: we last met with Peta to discuss public transport and infrastructure funding just four weeks ago.

Peta's energy, determination and dedication were appreciated by all who met her. It was clear she cared deeply about her constituents.

She was respected by people from all sides of politics for her hard work on behalf of the community and will be sadly missed.

Former mayor Councillor Steve Holland added a few private words:

Peta loved her community and loved her job.

We will be forever grateful for the positive difference she made in the lives of everyone she represented.

We have lost a passionate champion who always embodied the very best of our community.

Frankston City Council mayor Nathan Conroy also provided some words to me:

It is with deep sadness that we honour our Federal Member for Dunkley, Peta Murphy MP, following the news of her passing.

We remember Peta for her fierce determination and commitment to deliver the absolute best for our community.

As our local Federal MP, Peta was a tenacious and inspirational representative. We were fortunate to work closely with Peta on numerous projects.

Just days ago I joined her on a freezing Frankston morning to announce funding for a new car park—she was still smiling, still witty, and still fiercely determined to deliver for her community.

She was—to the very end—both fearless and tireless in her work—the very best example of elected representation.

Peta's passing diminishes us all—yet she has also left a rich and lasting legacy in Frankston City that will stand the test of time.

President of the recently formed Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shannon Smit and CEO Josh Sinclair said:

Peta Murphy served her community in Dunkley with great distinction.

Her service will be defined by her tireless work ethic, her sharp wit, and her incredible intellect. No matter who you were in our community, Peta always had time for you. She would treat you with respect, dignity and always make you want to be her friend.

Peta constantly stood up for people who didn't have the ability to stand up for themselves. Her commitment to social justice was not just through her words—she lived it every single day.

Peta spoke out against inequity and exploitation, and she was passionate about making a difference for our region.

The Committee was fortunate enough to host Peta for an event with our members just last month. Peta was knowledgeable, witty, and generous with her time—and up for debate about local commitments and our advocacy projects.

On a more personal note, Josh, who has been a friend of Peta's for many years, added:

Peta was without a doubt one of the hardest working people I ever met.

Her energy, time and commitment constantly astounded me—but she didn't know any other way. Her humour was also something I will always remember, as I will her ability to disarm even the most ardent of Liberal voters on the street.

I first met Peta in my days as a local Labor branch member in her electorate, and we got to know each other a bit better when I was the 2019 Labor candidate for Flinders. As neighbouring candidates, Peta went above and beyond in supporting me.

She always had wise advice and didn't waste an opportunity in spruiking an announcement or talking up her community. I was so proud to see her elected to Parliament in 2019.

Peta's health battles were well known, but she never let those battles define her. She stared them face on and fought hard—the only way she knew how.

Peta is one of the strongest people I've ever known.

May she be remembered for her courage, her strength, and her service to our community. May she now rest in peace.

Peta was widely admired on my side as well, by those that preceded her and served with her in this place. The great Bruce Billson, who served as member for Dunkley for 20 years until his retirement in 2016, said:

The passing of Peta Murphy is a tragic loss for her family, friends, the Dunkley community and our nation. A generous heart with a sincere commitment to service. My thoughts and condolences go to Peta's loved ones and to the many of us who admire and will miss her. Dunkley has lost a warrior for our community.

Chris Crewther briefly held the seat before Peta snatched it off him. He said:

As the State Member for Mornington, with an electorate that now overlaps with Dunkley, as Dunkley's former MP, as a fellow parliamentarian and as a local resident and constituent of Peta Murphy, I'd like to give my sincere condolences to Peta's husband Rod, all her family (including her beloved pooches), her Labor Party colleagues and members, fellow parliamentarians who've been serving with her, and all her many friends. Peta Murphy battled hard against metastatic breast cancer for years.

Chris went on to say:

Peta Murphy and I have a long history together. We stood against each other twice for the Federal electorate of Dunkley. In 2016, I defeated Peta. In 2019, Peta defeated me. There's a certain symmetry about that.

While we were opponents, I also greatly respected Peta and her hard work, tenacity, effort, intellect and community mindedness both while she was a candidate and since she became Member for Dunkley, in all that she did.

Peta will be greatly missed.

On a personal note, some of Chris's then staff, who later went on to work for Greg Hunt and now work for me, remarked on the declaration of Peta's win in 2019:

Peta thanked the former staff who had worked for the Dunkley electorate office, and among the excitement of her election, she took time to empathetically acknowledge the harsh reality that her electoral success meant those staff had lost their jobs.

It was a small gesture that meant a lot to those who were passing on the electoral baton to a new member and her team.

My predecessor, Greg Hunt, wanted me to say today:

I am deeply sorry to hear of Peta's passing. She was strong and brave and a genuinely passionate, caring, and effective local member. With all my best wishes for her family, friends and colleagues.

There are so many messages from our local organisations who loved her so much. Jodie Belyea from the Women's Spirit Project said:

Peta backed us from 2018 when she was campaigning for the seat of Dunkley. Once she got over the need for Team Teal to give her hugs and get in her personal space, she embraced us wholeheartedly to become our Ambassador.

She backed the Women's Spirit Project to never give up, to be courageous in our endeavours to offer free programs that support women doing it tough in and across the Frankston Mornington Peninsula.

She was a role model to many within our community, engaging authentically with people from all walks of life, bringing politics to people and giving us hope. She was brave, kind and strong—every inch of her life making the world a better place. You will be missed. Fly high, Peta.

Ross Kilborn, the past president of the Mornington Rotary Club said:

I found Peta to be one of the most approachable and genuine persons I have met. Whether it was national issues at the local level, like homelessness, or local issues, like the Peninsula Trail, Peta made the time available to hear and understand her community. She sincerely took the matter on and ensured its effective representation. Rotary had a real friend in Peta, someone who lived the Rotary maxim and really did put service above self.

I also received words from those well and truly in Peta's patch, who will miss her greatly, such as the Frankston District Netball Association:

Our Frankston Netball and Peninsula Waves families are saddened to learn of Peta's passing. Peta believed in girls and women's sport and encouraged us to demand equity. She played an instrumental role in the delivery of our new home at Jubilee Park Stadium.

Peta's advice, encouragement and fierce advocacy gave voice to netballers, from grass roots to the elite, from five-year-olds to seniors—she respected and valued everyone equally.

Above all, Peta was our friend. She was the Waves' No. 1 ticketholder and cheered the teams on at almost every home game and event. Netball in our region is better for having learned from Peta—we will miss her dearly.

Our members send our sincere condolences to Rod and to Peta's family. She was a true champion.

Similar words came from the Frankston footy club:

Everyone associated with the club has been overwhelmed with a sense of pride as we have witnessed Peta keenly continue to work for her community and selflessly fight for others, right up until the very end of her own battle.

Peta was a great friend to the Frankston Football Club, advocating strongly and effectively to support our long-term future. She was a passionate advocate for the advancement of our women's football program, which has progressed in leaps and bounds since being introduced four years ago.

There are so many more I could cite here today, but I know our time is tight. We could perhaps fill a week with tales and celebrations of what she has achieved in this place, and that's just on my side. So today I will finish with the words of the chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Reverend Tim Costello, Dunkley resident to whose goals Peta directed so much of her time in her last year in this place, because he sums it up so well: Peta was 'a friend, a neighbour and a gambling reform champion. Peta was the bravest woman I know, serving the community until the very end.'

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