Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has died, aged 50, following a battle with cancer.
The news comes just one day after Ms Richardson announced she would be taking an extended leave of absence, after being diagnosed with multiple tumours.
Unfortunately I will be extending my leave of absence to concentrate on my health. Thank you all for your support and well wishes. https://t.co/znD8ZKEIoq
— Fiona Richardson (@FRichardsonMP) August 22, 2017
In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Richardson said, “I intended to return to work part-time next week; however, my recovery is not going the way I had planned.”
The setback meant that she would not re-contest her northern suburbs seat.
The Labor MP was the state’s first Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
Premier Daniel Andrews said that the Royal Commission into Family Violence’s final report was Ms Richardson’s greatest legacy to public life.
“Victoria has a different system now. Our state will never be the same. Lives have been saved. And I know who to thank,” he said in a statement.
A statement from the Richardson family described Fiona as “an unwavering advocate on behalf of victim-survivors and every Victorian touched by the tragedy of family violence.”
Ms Richardson opened up to Australian Story last year about her own history of domestic violence at the hands of her alcoholic, abusive father.
“Fiona was a quiet champion of women’s rights, with an all-woman Ministerial office devoted to her,” her family said.
Tributes have been flowing from her fellow MP’s, as well as anti-family violence campaigner, Rosie Batty.
Devastated at friend Fiona Richardson’s passing. Huge support to me during my journey & for all victims. Thoughts with family, staff & all
— Rosie Batty (@RosieBatty1) August 23, 2017
Ms Richardson joined the Labor party in 1991, and has held the inner seat of Northcote since 2006.
This is the second time she had fought serious illness, after recovering from breast cancer in 2013.
She is survived by her husband, former ALP state secretary Stephen Newnham, and their two children, Marcus and Catherine.
