Local MP Jane Garrett dies aged 49

ON Tuesday, March 16, 2021, Jane Garrett was announcing a Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grant of $193,333 towards the total cost of $222,500 for a Light Tanker for the Ruby CFA Fire Brigade.

Now, at the age of just 49, she is dead.

Early on Saturday night, the media was reporting that the Member for Eastern Victoria, one of a handful of MPs representing South Gippsland and Bass Coast in parliament, had succumbed to her battle with cancer.

At 9.14pm the Premier Daniel Andrews issued a statement on behalf of the Victorian Government and the Parliamentary Labor Party expresing deep condolences to Jane's family, friends and colleagues and "all those who knew and loved her - vale Jane Garrett".

"Jane was a passionate advocate for the rights of working people and spent her career fighting for safer, secure jobs."

Her family has been offered a State Funeral.

Ms Garrett announced in December last year that she would not be seeking re-election, at the November 26, 2022 poll, but due to ill health has not been able to spend much time in Parliament since September last year.

In one of her final addresses to the Legislative Council on Wednesday, August 4 last year, Ms Garrett focused attention on the workplace safety risks that persist for farmers and those working in agricultural industries.

“My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Workplace Safety and Minister for Early Childhood, Ingrid Stitt, MP, and it relates to the portfolio responsibilities of workplace safety. As the house is aware, Eastern Victoria is home to many families who operate farming businesses, many of whom have passed these businesses down through generations, but unfortunately the agricultural industry has remained one of Victoria’s most dangerous. Can the minister please update me and my constituents on what the Andrews Labor government is doing to ensure that workers in Victoria’s agricultural industry have the resources to continue shifting farming culture to one which priorities and improves safety?”

She also welcomed the setting up of a Royal Commission into the operation of Victoria’s casinos but didn’t have it all her own way.

Her old sparring partner in Eastern Victoria, Edward O’Donohue, didn’t let her get away with the statement, accusing Ms Garrett of not doing enough while she was Gaming Minister.

“Ms Garrett, who was a gaming minister, had the opportunity to explain why under her watch junket operators went through the roof, which increased the opportunity for money laundering and criminal activity, but she failed. She just recited the same old hymn sheet or bill book that every other Labor member recited.”

It’s a tough caper.

Of course, Ms Garrett is best known for resigning as Minister for Emergency Services in June 2016 when the Andrews Government was seeking to push through an industrial agreement designed to give the United Firefighters Union more power over the Country Fire Authority.

Ms Garrett reportedly resigned in protest against arrangements that she could not tolerate as Minister.

The fallout and debate over those regrettable ructions has continued.

On Wednesday, September 15 last year, the Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, acknowledged in Parliament that it was Ms Garrett, while Minister for Emergency Services, who commissioned the review of the fire services, especially with regard to abusive behaviour, but that the Labor Government then tried to cover up the findings of that review.

Ms Garrett was not a regular visitor to South Gippsland or Bass Coast but when she was, she usually came bearing gifts.

In October 2019 she visited Fish Creek to inspect the progress of South Gippsland Shire Council’s $367,155 project to extend and update the kindergarten.

On November 26, 2019, Ms Garrett declared Work was underway to upgrade a two-kilometre section of Foster-Promontory Road

And on August 14, 2020, she announced the Foster Indoor Stadium was set for a transformation, thanks to a $2.26 million funding boost from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.

The communities of South Gippsland and Bass Coast are grateful for her efforts on their behalf.

Ms Garrett leaves behind her husband James Higgins, and three children; Molly 19, Sasha 15 and Max 10.

She was the Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation from 2014-2016 and was still a Member of the Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee at the time of her death.

She was the Member for Eastern Victoria from November 24, 2018 to the present.

Bass Coast Mayor's tribute

Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan spoke for local government in Gippsland when he said the news about local MP Jane Garrett was very sad.

"It was terrible news and so young with a young family, yes very sad," Cr Whelan said.

"Obviously she was under a lot of pressure a few years ago but you certainly feel for her family, a big loss," he said.

Statement from the Premier

I am saddened to learn of the passing of the Member for Eastern Victoria, the Hon Jane Garrett MP, after a long battle with cancer. 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.

I cannot imagine the grief her family, particularly her three children, must be feeling at this incredibly difficult time – my thoughts are with them. Jane was a passionate advocate for the rights of working people and spent her career fighting for safer, secure jobs.

Her commitment to education, equality and social justice for all was clear.

Jane was elected as the Member for Brunswick in 2010 and served as a parliamentary secretary and Shadow Cabinet Secretary. When Labor returned to government in 2014, she joined the Cabinet as Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and Minister for Emergency Services.

In 2018, Jane was elected as a Member for Eastern Victoria in the Legislative Council and appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs – roles she undertook until her illness forced her to take a leave of absence.

Prior to her service in the Victorian Parliament, Jane worked as an industrial relations and discrimination lawyer and as a senior adviser to former Premier Steve Bracks. She was also elected by her community as a Councillor and then as Mayor of the City of Yarra.

Jane lived a life of service to the labour movement, to the Labor party, and to our state. I hope Jane’s family accept a State Funeral as a fitting way to mark her significant contribution to Victoria. Vale Jane Garrett.