Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This is a tough day. It's been a sad, heartwarming and inspirational day, hearing from so many who knew Peta better and longer than I did. I first met her after I was elected to this place last year and was appointed to the Social Affairs and Legal Affairs Committee, which she chaired. My time with Peta, although short, was inspirational. When I was a new member of parliament, she was generous to me with her time, wisdom and understanding. She was also good company, easy-going and engaging. She was warm and welcoming, and she was a steady and knowledgeable hand as she guided the committee, replete with newbies, through our first inquiry.

The inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm was a complex piece of work bridging a number of jurisdictions. The evidence was extremely diverse, as were those giving evidence. They ranged from academics and gambling, media and sports industries through to support services, those directly affected by gambling harm and their families. Some of the evidence was harrowing and distressing both for those giving evidence and for those of us hearing it and seeing the obvious pain of the witnesses. Peta was compassionate, concerned and thoughtful with all. When I think of her, I think of her empathy and understanding—how she encouraged each witness to take their time, how she made sure each witness felt that they had been heard and how she made sure that each witness felt that they had had the opportunity to tell us everything that they wanted to tell us. She ensured that those with little or no power were heard as much as the powerful were, and this was a theme in her life: battling for the disadvantaged. She ensured that those unaccustomed to speaking to a parliamentary committee were encouraged and supported. Her kind nature, compassion, thoughtfulness and humour all ensured that these sometimes difficult conversations and experiences were as positive as they could be for those who generously shared their stories with us.

Peta also brought her considerable intellect to this task. Like so many wicked social problems, online gambling harm is also a complex problem that touches many jurisdictions, many industries and many ministerial portfolios. The final report is a credit to the hard work, focus and intellect she brought to the task, to understanding the issue, to understanding the diverse viewpoints we heard from and to finding a pathway forward that could be transformational for those affected by gambling harm and for future generations. This resulted in a unanimously supported report, You win some, you lose more, with 31 recommendations.

Her final speech was in the Federation Chamber, speaking to the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill. In that speech she spoke with great insight and empathy about the impact of gambling on one of her constituents. I am so pleased she got to see some of the recommendations from the report being put in place. It's a sad fact that we never know how long we have, and we never know how long we have with others around us. Peta was very open with her diagnosis and treatment, but she didn't let it slow her down at all. Last week, she was in parliament to launch a Breast Cancer Network Australia report entitled Time to count people with metastatic breast cancera way forward. Sadly, she was too unwell on the day to attend the event, but I'm sure she was pleased it was happening. This is another legacy, another demonstration, of the impact Peta Murphy had in this place and on our country.

Her unwavering commitment to her beloved electorate of Dunkley and her commitment to representing them and making a better Australia meant she didn't slow down. She was here in this place only last week asking a question in question time, and I think that's why her untimely death seems so sudden and unexpected as well. My thoughts are with her husband, Rod, the love of her life—she was taken too soon—her parents, Bob and Jan, as you never expect to bury your children; her sisters, Jodi and Penni; their partners and children; and all of her many friends. My thoughts are also with her staff, who have supported her so well in all that she has achieved; with her constituents of Dunkley, who she thought of every day; and of course with her beloved dogs, Bert and Ernie. Earlier today I was sent some photographs of myself with Peta and some of the assistance dogs that sometimes visit here, and her joy for dogs is so evident in the photographs.

When I think of Peta I think of her good humour, her wit, her empathy, her understanding, her fierce intellect, her energy and her commitment to making a difference for her electorate and for this country. She was an example to follow. Hers was a life too short but a life well lived, and her legacy will live on beyond her. Vale Peta. May she rest in peace.

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