Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

():  Peta Murphy was larger than life. She was not afraid to speak out on the things she believed in. She was brave and tenacious, fierce and funny and often mischievous, with a sharp wit that could cut through an argument with a few well-chosen words—words she would fire across this chamber during a heated MPI or a fierce debate.

Peta absolutely relished her job as the federal member for Dunkley. It wasn't just a job for her. It was her entire life, one she shared so passionately with her husband, Rod. I send my heartfelt condolences to: Rod; Peta's parents, Bob and Jan; her sisters, Jodi and Penni; and all Peta's staff, who have been with us here today.

It is not easy to say goodbye to someone who's star shone so bright and was taken away too soon. Peta knew her time was precious. She threw everything into her life, achieving so much for someone so young. What I know is that Peta absolutely enjoyed her job. She was always fighting hard for her constituents and using her sharp intellect to drive meaningful change on human rights, online gaming, industrial relations and the empowerment of women—to name just a few of her passionate endeavours.

Together, Peta and I were part of the class of '19—elected to parliament in 2019. I would like to acknowledge the moving and heartfelt tributes from all of my colleagues. I'd like to particularly mention the moving speeches of the member for Gorton, Brendan O'Connor, and the member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus. You've had your own personal journeys, and I want to thank you for your words today. I'd also like to acknowledge the class of '19 who have spoken today: the member for Jagajaga, the member for Canberra, the member for Macnamara and the member for Swan. Your friendship and love for Peta is profound, and we will all miss her terribly.

I first met Peta in 2015, when we both stood as Victorian candidates in the 2016 election. She stood in Dunkley and I stood in Corangamite. We both experienced fierce campaigns, with many a nasty front page and brutal commentary. So it was always comforting to speak with Peta, get her sage advice and crack a joke together about the latest nasty tactics. Unfortunately for both of us, we lost at that election. Peta had run a brilliant campaign and had a substantial swing towards her. Shortly afterwards, we caught up for lunch to lick our wounds and look to the future. We talked about many things: her diagnosis with breast cancer at 37, her sadness at not being able to have children, her love of the law, and the people she had met on her campaign trail in Dunkley. I asked Peta if she was going to stand again. She was not sure, and neither was I. It had been a tough fight. It's hard to win from opposition. But, true to character, Peta did stand again, as did I. Once again, it was a fierce battle—one that, in 2019, we won. The party didn't win, but we did win.

When we came together that July to take part in our first class of '19 induction, I have a clear memory of Peta. She was absolutely joyous. Her smile was infectious. She was ready. She wanted to get stuck into it to make a difference, to stand up for justice and a fair go, and to act with purpose in the true Labor tradition. But, soon after this, Peta discovered that the cancer had returned—such shocking news. It would have defeated many, but not Peta. Her courage in the face of much pain and fatigue was amazing. She did not like to discuss it, so instead I would send her a text: thinking of you, hoping all is going well. And, without words, I would often give her a hug and a smile.

Peta was a fierce advocate for improving the lives of others and particularly improving the lives of those with breast cancer, only last week coming to Canberra with the intention of supporting the Breast Cancer Network Australia's call—a call for people with metastatic breast cancer to be consistently counted on cancer registries in order to better plan for health and supportive services. I hope that our government will take up this call. Sadly, Peta could not attend that event. But she did come to question time, and, in true tenacious and determined style, Peta asked a question, representing the people of Dunkley right until the end.

Today, it is hard to come to terms with the fact that Peta is no longer with us. Her star shone so bright. The world was a better place with Peta in it. It has been an honour to serve alongside my friend Peta Jan Murphy. She reminds all of us in this place why we are here. It is not the amount of time that we spend here that matters. It is what we do with our time that matters. We as MPs in this place are in a unique position to help others. Peta knew this and she made her time matter. Her legacy will live on. She touched, and will continue to touch, so many lives.

On behalf of my husband, Hugh, and I, and my staff, I send my heartfelt condolences to Rod and all the family. Farewell, my beautiful friend. May you rest in peace.

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