A state funeral has been offered to the family of late emergency services minister and Victorian Labor MP Jane Garrett, who passed away at the age of 49 from breast cancer.
The service would be “a fitting way to mark her significant contribution” to the state, as per Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
Premier @DanielAndrewsMP says he is saddened to hear of Ms Garrett’s death. “I hope Jane’s family accept a State Funeral as a fitting way to mark her significant contribution to Victoria.” #springst
— Kieran Rooney (@KieranRooneyCM) July 2, 2022
After receiving a diagnosis of the illness in 2016, the former emergency services minister—an MP since 2010—announced late last year that she will not run for re-election in the state election of 2022.
Garrett, a former representative for Brunswick and Eastern Victoria, resigned from cabinet in 2016 due to a contentious agreement on the payment of the firefighters’ union.
Andrews praised Garrett for his sincere support of the working class.
In a statement, Andrews said, “Jane lived a life of service to the labor movement, to the Labor party, and to our state.”
“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,” he went on to state.
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.
Vale Jane Garrett. pic.twitter.com/PLpwRmXAkf
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) July 2, 2022
Molly, 19, Sasha, 15, and Max, 10 are the three children that Ms. Garrett leaves behind.
She was the minister for emergency services, consumer affairs, gambling, and liquor control when she first entered the House of Representatives in 2010 as the representative for Brunswick.
Ben Carroll, the minister of public transportation, tweeted his sympathies.
Heartbreaking news about Jane Garrett tonight.
Jane would light up any room she walked into; she had that rare ability to do it even on a zoom call.
One of a kind.
My heartfelt condolences to James, Molly, Sasha, Max and extended family. pic.twitter.com/aQG9NFwjqz
— Ben Carroll (@BenCarrollMP) July 2, 2022
She left the cabinet, however, as Daniel Andrews’ administration pushed through a firefighters’ enterprise bargaining agreement that she was unable to accept.
The mother of three moved to the upper house in 2018, representing eastern Victoria, after a contentious preselection.