Jane Garrett, a Victorian Labor MP, and a former minister died of breast cancer at the age of 49. Garrett, who had announced her resignation in December last year after more than a decade in politics, was set to depart Parliament in the November state election.
She is survived by her three children, Molly, 19, Sasha, 15, and Max, 10.
We send our sincere sympathies to Garrett’s family and pray for their strength as they cope with the devastating death of many dear ones.
What Happened To Victorian Labor MP Jane Garrett?
Victorian Labor MP Jane Garrett died from breast cancer at the age of 49.
Her death was confirmed on Saturday evening in a statement from her family, who lauded her “contagious love of life and people.”
“We are grieved by the departure of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, and good friend Jane Garrett this afternoon, following a lengthy fight with cancer,” the statement added.
The former emergency services minister, who has been a member of parliament since 2010, was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. She declared late last year that she will not run for re-election in the 2022 state election.
“Unfortunately, Jane’s cancer reappeared after a brief period of remission, and she was taken to the hospital earlier this week.”
“We would want to thank the Epworth Freemasons staff for their compassion and care of Jane throughout the years, especially in the final week,” her family added.
Garrett, who represented Brunswick and Eastern Victoria, resigned from cabinet in 2016 over a contentious firefighters’ union pay contract.
Garrett’s family has been granted a state funeral to say farewell to the former emergency services minister.
The funeral, according to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, would be “a suitable way to honor her important contribution” to the state.
Garrett’s sincere advocacy for working people was mentioned by Andrews.
In a statement, Andrews said, “Jane spent a life of devotion to the labor movement, the Labor Party, and our state.”
“On behalf of the Victorian government and the parliamentary Labor party, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to Jane’s family, friends, and colleagues, as well as everyone who knew and loved her.”
“I can’t image the pain her family, especially her three children, must be going through at this terrible time; my thoughts are with them.”
Jane Furneaux Garrett Is Married To Her Husband James Higgins
Jane Furneaux Garrett was married to her husband, James Higgins, and was blessed with three amazing kids, 2 daughters and a son.
The Australian politician had an estimated net worth of $ 2 million at the time of her death. She had amassed a fortune from her career as a Labor Party MP.
She began her career as a Labor Party member representing Brunswick in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 2010 until 2018. She then shifted to the Victorian Legislative Council to represent Eastern Victoria.
Garrett campaigned on the Left ticket for the office of ALP National President. She was elected National Junior Vice President in December 2011 and began her term in December 2012.
Prior to the 2014 state election, Garrett worked as a shadow cabinet secretary.
Jane Furneaux Garrett Was An Australian Politician
Jane Furneaux Garrett was named Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming, and Liquor Regulation in the newly-elected Andrews Labor administration in 2014.
However, Garrett resigned from the Andrews Ministry on June 9, 2016, following a dispute over an enterprise bargaining agreement. It was between the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the United Firefighters Union, and the Victorian government.
Furthermore, Garrett was assaulted by a lady in Carlton on August 15, 2016.
Talking about her cancer, She revealed on Facebook in November 2016 that she had recently undergone a successful breast cancer surgery. And will be taking four months off from parliament for treatment and rehabilitation.
Following her cancer history, Garrett declared on September 27, 2017, that she would not run for Brunswick in the upcoming state election. She instead seeks preselection for the Victorian Legislative Council seat of the Western Metropolitan Region.
Her nomination was defeated by Ingrid Stitt, branch secretary of the Australian Services Union, who was supported by Labor’s left-wing. As a result, she was later preselected to lead the Labor ticket in the Eastern Victoria Region.