A cancer diagnosis has forced long-serving Victorian MP Fiona Richardson to take time off and she says she’ll quit parliament at next year’s state election.
The Family Violence Prevention Minister was diagnosed with a serious illness before the winter break and gave notice earlier this month that she would be taking leave from her parliamentary duties.
Ms Richardson, 50, also took time off in 2013 to fight breast cancer and on Tuesday she revealed she was now battling multiple tumours and will extend her leave.
Victorian MP Fiona Richardson (pictured) said she’d quit parliament at next year’s state election after being diagnosed with cancer
The MP (far left) is fighting cancer for a second time in four years, who was diagnosed with multiple tumours earlier this month
Ms Richardson thanked everyone on social media for offering their support while she recovers
She won’t recontest her key inner seat of Northcote, which she was elected to in 2006, in next year’s Victorian election.
‘I have been diagnosed with multiple tumours for which I am receiving treatment,’ Ms Richardson said.
‘I intended to return to work part time next week, however my recovery is not going the way I had planned.
‘I am grateful that the premier has agreed to an extended period of leave from my portfolio to enable me to concentrate of my health.’
Ms Richardson posted her regards on her social media accounts, thanking everyone for their support during the difficult time.
‘Thank you to everyone for your kind words of encouragement and support,’ she posted.
Ms Richardson said she would be taking time off work after her health didn’t go to plan
The Family Violence Prevention Minister (pictured) first took time off from politics in 2013 to fight breast cancer
‘While I haven’t been able to respond to you each individually, I think you for your well wishes while I focus on recovery.’
Premier Daniel Andrews said Ms Richardson had been an ‘unwavering advocate’ against family violence.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Fiona and her family and we will do everything we can to support her during this difficult time,’ he said in a statement.
The long serving MP is a leader in Labor’s right factions and has been a factional rival of the left-wing premier.
Her seat of Northcote has undergone demographic change in recent years, with polls suggesting the Greens are a chance to take it from Labor at the election in November 2018.