Patrick Gorman (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Each of us wishes that the parliament wasn't sitting today. Here we are in a time when everyone walking through this building has sorrow and loss in their hearts, this loss that our friend—and I think we have learned how many people Peta Murphy was a true friend to—will not be here again, that 'the strongest girl in the world' will not walk into this chamber. There's that reflection that you never know exactly what is happening in the lives of many of your colleagues. We had Peta in question time last week, and it felt like any other question time, but, now, reflecting on that question time we're shown what a strong and determined colleague we have lost.

If I can say to Professor Rod Glover; to her parents, Bob and Jan; to her family members Jodi and Penni, there's been a day of outpouring love and support. No words in this place will fill any of that whole, but hopefully what goes into Hansard today does something to amplify the causes and the purpose for which your family shared Peta with the Australian people.

I've been fortunate, this year in particular, to get to know Rod Glover better than I did previously. What always shone through was his absolute love for his wife and the incredible partnership that they had. Again, the most sincere of condolences.

What has also struck me is that we've seen today that much of what Peta set out to do in terms of how she'd be remembered has, indeed, been delivered upon, because you've had people sharing views about someone who really was a parliamentarian, not a politician. That's not to say that in any way she didn't fight or that she was gentle but that she fought smart and she fought hard and you could not argue with the purpose behind what she was arguing for because she was a true change maker.

I first met Peta when she was an adviser in this place. She was sharp, purpose driven, incredibly welcoming—she was chief of staff—to all who came through her shadow minister's door. She was incredibly dedicated to the cause of Labor, just as she was a incredibly dedicated to the causes of women's economic equality. So much of that work that she did when we were in opposition is work that has been carried on in this government, which she was a key part of.

I sat over there, just behind her, for her first speech. Like others have said in their remarks, I also remember being intimidated, thinking, 'Gosh, this person is bright,' but also being quite inspired with the strength and purpose which she brought to this place.

In that, I want to actually thank Peta's branch members. They supported her at two elections and, ultimately, her successful election in 2019, but they also chose her. Choosing a candidate is the easy bit sometimes. Making sure they get over the line is the really tough bit, and they did that as well. I want to thank all of her branch members for giving this parliament such an outstanding representative.

What I enjoyed, particularly when I did sit over there just behind her, was that Peta had phenomenal speeches. It was always clear who she loved, what she stood for, what she was fighting for and what outcome she wanted. She had that wonderful balance in speeches that could have cut through and compassion. I must say that I'm grateful to be a Labor MP where I was never on the receiving end of one of her 90-second statements.

She did also use this place to make change. One of her early battles was to protect Mornington Centrelink, which was due to close at the start of the pandemic. It stayed open and not just during the pandemic; it's still open to this day, and that's thanks to Peta Murphy. She also had a strong commitment to public service, to public servants and to public institutions. Again, it's been great to hear some of the reflects of that commitment in people's remarks today.

We know that, while there are many who worked with Peta, her friends, there are also thousands of people who never met her but looked up to her as the person who was just like them, someone who was just going about the things they wanted to do and achieve in their life but who had cancer along for that journey. She was a voice for those battling, surviving and grieving from cancer. I think one of the lasting pieces that she leaves with us is the message that she gave us in her first speech:

Ladies, check your breasts! Men, stop ignoring what your body's telling you. Fellow members of this parliament, listen to the experts who warn that the promise of universal health care is under threat.

She left us with that message. While the Prime Minister noted that she never got the opportunity to sit around the cabinet table, I think the message that she brought to this place is undoubtedly louder around that cabinet table, whether that be a Labor or a coalition government, and that to me is a demonstration of true impact.

I want to express condolences to Peta's staff. One of the things that struck me when I saw the news—which the Prime Minister announced but which also was an announcement on her Facebook page—was that one of her staff, who would have been grieving so deeply at that point in time, had to have posted the announcement and had to work to share that tragic news. I want to thank them for the way they've provided a platform for so many to celebrate their boss, their friend, and the impact she had.

I was amazed at some of the commentary that flowed from Peta's community on that Facebook post. One woman, Isabel, wrote: 'Peta, you changed everything for me. I met you when I was in year 9 for principal's day at ENC. I learnt from you that women can do whatever they want.' The district netball association said she achieved so much for women. A woman called Jenny writes of Peta, 'She was so genuine, and she was the first federal member to ever knock on my door.' I think the one that obviously would be the greatest compliment of all to our friend Peta was that Squash Australia came and said: 'The squash community across Australia is devastated by this news. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Peta's family and friends and colleagues. Peta will be greatly missed.'

We really will miss Peta. As was noted earlier, the Leader of the House is not the only master of the standing orders in this place, and the first time Peta spoke in this place was to give a condolence to Bob Hawke, not to give her so-called first speech. I'm going to paraphrase what Peta said about Bob because I know it is equally true about her: the great Peta Murphy will always be loved, and she will be missed. Her legacy will live on.

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