Jane Garrett, Victorian Labor MP, dies from breast cancer aged 49
The family of Victorian Labor MP Jane Garrett has has accepted the offer of a state funeral to farewell the former emergency services minister who has died from breast cancer at the age of 49.
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said the service would be “a fitting way to mark her significant contribution” to the state.
The former emergency services minister, an MP since 2010, was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 and announced late last year she would not stand for re-election in the 2022 state poll.
Garrett, who served as member for Brunswick and for Eastern Victoria, quit cabinet in 2016 over a controversial firefighters’ union pay deal.
Andrews spoke of Garrett’s heartfelt advocacy for working people.
“Jane lived a life of service to the labour movement, to the Labor party, and to our state,” Andrews said in a statement.
“On behalf of the Victorian government and the parliamentary Labor party, I offer our deep condolences to Jane’s family, friends and colleagues and all those who knew and loved her.
“I cannot imagine the grief her family, particularly her three children, must be feeling at this incredibly difficult time - my thoughts are with them.”
Her death on Saturday evening was announced in a statement from her family, who praised her “contagious love of life and people”.
“We are devastated by the passing this afternoon of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, dear friend Jane Garrett, following a long battle with cancer,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, Jane’s cancer recently returned after some time in remission, and she was admitted to hospital earlier this week.
“We wish to thank the staff at the Epworth Freemasons for their love and care of Jane over the last years and in particular over the past week.
“We will remember Jane always for her contagious love of life and people; her intense compassion and the drive which made her a very fierce advocate for women and those most disadvantaged.
“Her intellect, wit and generosity are irreplaceable, and her loss leaves a huge hole in the Garrett family.”
She is survived by her three children, Molly, aged 19, 15-year-old Sasha, and Max, 10.