Jane Garrett, a longtime Labor lawmaker, and former Victorian emergency services minister, passed away at the age of 49 from breast cancer.
After receiving a diagnosis of the illness in 2016, the former emergency services minister 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.
Her family released a statement on Saturday night announcing her passing and praising her “contagious love of life and people.”
According to the statement, Jane Garrett, who was adored as a mother, sister, daughter, and friend, passed away this afternoon after a protracted fight with cancer.
“Unfortunately, Jane’s cancer just came back after going into remission for a while; this week, she was admitted to the hospital.
“We would want to express our gratitude to the Epworth Freemasons staff for their compassion and care shown to Jane throughout the years, especially the final week.
We will always remember Jane for her infectious love of life and other people, her deep compassion, and her enthusiasm, which led her to become a forceful advocate for women and the most vulnerable members of society.
“Her departure leaves a great vacuum in the Garrett family; her brilliance, wit, and charity are irreplaceable.”
Her three children, Molly, 19, Sasha, 15, and Max, 10, are still living.
Meet Molly, Sasha, and Max
Molly, Sasha, and Max are three gorgeous children that Jane Garret has with her husband James Higgins. There is less information about her children. Max is 10 years old, Sasha is 15, and Molly is 19 years old.
