People Are “Devastated” After The Death Of Victorian MP Fiona Richardson
Vale.
Tributes are pouring in for Victorian Family Violence Prevention Minister Fiona Richardson, who passed away on Wednesday after a battle with cancer.
Richardson, 50, was Australia’s first minister for the prevention of family violence, and was hailed by state premier Daniel Andrews as a tireless campaigner for the safety of women and children.
“The best people in public life are those who live their values,” he wrote on Facebook. “In fighting for her community, in standing up for the safety of women and children, and in seeking the power of government and all its vast possibilities, Fiona not only lived her values, she demanded the same of us all.”
“Under her watch, a dark and silent tragedy was brought into the harsh and unforgiving light of a Royal Commission – and the two thousand pages of that Commission’s final report are her greatest legacy to public life,” he continued.
“She was a person of conviction, of character, of extraordinary composure. Those qualities – combined with an intellect and instinct that’s among the sharpest I’ve known – made her someone who can never be replaced. Not in our Government. Not in our movement. Not ever.”
Andrews’ feelings were echoed by Victorian MPs on both sides of the aisle, as well as by Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten, who called her “a remarkable, brave and inspirational woman”.
We’ve lost a remarkable, brave and inspirational woman. This is so sad. Thinking tonight of everything Fiona Richardson achieved.
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) August 23, 2017
Vale Fiona Richardson MP. The sadness at Spring Street will be immense. To her family, friends, colleagues, my thoughts, sympathy and love.
— Matthew Guy MP (@MatthewGuyMP) August 23, 2017
Vale Fiona Richardson. A warrior for her causes, a woman of outstanding ability, an MP of conviction. Rest in peace. #springst
— Louise Staley MP (@LouiseStaley) August 23, 2017
Just devastated that Fiona Richardson MP a wonderful human being has just died My heart goes out to her family and colleagues #springst
— Fiona Patten MP (@FionaPattenMLC) August 23, 2017
Richardson was also praised by anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty, who told Fairfax that the minister had helped give victims a voice.
“She gave them hope things could change,” said Batty. “She reached the hearts of politicians from both sides of politics. But what she really set out to achieve, was to make them understand that victims need to be part of the solution, that their stories are essential, that they can help inform the government, lead reforms and change society and the world.”
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
The Labor member for Northcote, Richardson was first elected to Parliament in 2006, and last year appeared on Australian Story where she spoke about her own childhood experiences with family violence. She successfully fought breast cancer in 2013, but announced earlier this month that she would be taking a leave of absence after the illness returned. On Tuesday she announced that she would be extending her leave of absence, and that she did not plan on seeking re-election in 2018.
In a statement, Richardson’s family said she achieved “so much for victims in a short space of time”.
“She wanted violence in the home to stop and she knew for that to happen it would take dedication and leadership over the course of a generation.”
Richardson is survived by her husband and two children.
–
Feature image via Fiona Richardson/Facebook.