Source : Perth Now news
Victoria Greens have announced Brunswick MP Tim Read died aged 66 following a 10 month battle with melanoma.
“The Victorian Greens are truly devastated to announce the death of Tim Read, our dear friend, colleague and beloved MP for Brunswick,” a statement read.
“At this time of incredible pain and sadness, we offer our deepest love to his wife … children, and all of Tim’s family and friends.”
Dr Read’s parliamentary colleague Ellen Sandell paid tribute to the MP saying, “Vale, our brilliant friend. We will miss you.”
“Tim was a brilliant local MP, doctor and scientist — but to those who knew him, he was also the kindest, funniest and most fundamentally decent of people,” she said in a post.
“Tim never held back from speaking truth to power, whether it was getting arrested for spray-painting health messages on tobacco billboards prior to getting elected, to taking it up to the premier in Question Time.”
Dr Read represented Brunswick in Victoria’s Legislative Assembley since 2018, and was the first non-Labor politician to win the seat.
In January this year, he announced he would retire from politics at the next state election following his cancer diagnosis.
Premier Ben Carroll said Dr Read was a man of principle and compassion.
“He dedicated his life to serving his community,” he said.
“Long before he entered Parliament, he was a doctor and researcher in sexual health and HIV prevention.
“In Parliament, he was a voice for Brunswick.”
Premier Carroll spoke to Dr Read earlier this week and said he was deeply touched by that conversation.
“We spoke about something on which we have always agreed: integrity in public life and the need for reform,” he said
“Despite his health challenges, he was positive and optimistic for a better world.”
The premier said he valued Dr Read’s intelligent and humane contribution to the public debate and respected his convictions and determination to make life better for others.
“On behalf of the Victorian Government, I offer my sincere condolences to his partner Angela, his children Martin and Louisa, and his family, friends, staff and colleagues,” he said.
Victorian Liberal Leader Jess Wilson paid tribute to Dr Read, she said in a statement she was deeply saddened by Dr Read’s death.
“Tim was a man of conviciton and a thoroughly decent person. He brought sincerity, compassion and a strong sense of public duty to his work earning respect across the Parliament,” she said.
“We shared a belief that Victorians deserve honest government and strong independent agencies. His principled pursuit of these goals will be an enduring part of his legacy.”
