Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has died at the age of just 50, and after only confirming on Tuesday that she would be extending her leave of absence from parliament in her battle against cancer.
She led nothing short of a remarkable and passionate life, determined to promote safety and equality for women, as well as an end to family violence. She had conviction, a sharp intellect, and incredible composure for somebody who had experienced so much.
A survivor of domestic violence herself, she opened up about her difficult past on Australian Story last year. She said at the time that all of her memories before the age of eight involve violence.
During her time as Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence — the first person to serve in such a position in Australia — she saw evidence come to light of violence and sexual assault under the Royal Commission, as well as its final report spanning 2000 pages.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said in a statement that “she knew no fear and tolerated no prejudice.”
It is my sad and solemn duty to confirm that Fiona Richardson has passed away at the age of 50. https://t.co/ZocuYFJwK7
— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 23, 2017
“Before she had even stepped foot in Parliament, she had busted the party’s sexist back rooms and committees wide open. She made things that much easier and fairer for the next generation of Labor women. And for the one after that.”
He said the best people in public life are those who live and fight for their values. Fiona not only did that, but “demanded the same of us all.”
Premier Andrews said he would never forget what Richardson told him last year, that “if you actually set out to design a prevention system most likely to fail, you would design the system that we had.”
“Victoria has a different system now. Our state will never be the same. Lives have been saved. And I know who to thank.”
Liberal Opposition leader Anthony Galloway agreed, telling reporters this morning she was a “trailblazer” who has “changed our state.”
Richardson was described as “remarkable and brave” by Opposition leader Bill Shorten and as a “huge support” to victims of violence by Rosie Batty.
On Tuesday, Richardson has said she planned to work part time but her recovery was not going as she in intended.
The remarkable Fiona Richardson MP will be sadly missed. A pioneer in gender equality & prevention of family violence. In this generation. pic.twitter.com/AdmyBZK7Ma
— Kate Jenkins (@Kate_Jenkins_) August 23, 2017
Shocked & so very sad at the loss of Fiona Richardson. An amazing campaigner against family violence. A brave and kind woman. JG
— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) August 23, 2017
“I remain passionately committed to the vision shared by myself and other victim-survivors to eradicate violence in the home within a generation and to end its dangerous and costly impact on families and children,” she said.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had said following Richardson’s statement that her “work to prevent family violence continues to save lives, particularly those of women and children.”
That legacy lives on. It must.
Fiona is survived by her husband and two children.
In one of her first speeches as Minister, Fiona said “we can do more, and we must.” In her memory, we will.
— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 23, 2017