Katie Allen, former federal Liberal MP, dies aged 59 | Australian politics
Former Federal Liberal MP Katie Allen has died aged 59, her family has announced.
Allen served as the member for the former seat of Higgins in Victoria from 2019 to 2022. Praise for the popular MP has poured in from across the political spectrum, led by prime minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Sussan Ley, as well as former colleagues Peter Dutton, Josh Frydenberg and Scott Morrison.
Allen, who worked as a pediatric allergist and gastroenterologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital before his career in politics, announced earlier this year that he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer known as cholangiocarcinoma.
In a statement posted on Allen’s Facebook account yesterday, his family announced that “our beloved Katie (our mother)” had passed away.
“She spent her life caring for others as a mother, doctor, professor, member of parliament and friend. She is deeply loved,” the statement said.
“He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, and lived a full, beautiful life until the very end.
“We love you very much.”
Allen is survived by her four children, a grandson, and her husband, Malcolm.
He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, an aggressive bile duct cancer, in November 2023, but did not announce it outside his immediate family circle until after the federal election in May, when he unsuccessfully ran for the seat of Chisholm.
HE He told The Age in November She said her husband encouraged her to further her political ambitions and that she kept the diagnosis secret to avoid a sympathy vote.
“Every now and then, if someone did something really bad, I’d think, ‘I wish you knew I had cancer,'” she said.
Albanese said in a message on social media that Allen “dedicated his life, talents and courage to making our nation a better place.”
“Katie believed deeply in serving her community, her nation and her fellow Australians,” he said.
Ley paid tribute to her “extraordinary intelligence, courage and warmth”, describing her as a “pioneer”.
“You only had to be in the same room with her to feel her passion – for women, for medicine, for education, for the Liberal Party and, most of all, for people who need a helping hand,” he said in a statement.
“She was the brightest of colleagues, the kindest of friends, and an extraordinary wife and mother. Her beautiful family was the humanity that shined through in everything she did.”
Morrison, who was prime minister when Allen was in parliament, praised his “extraordinary talents, passion and love”.
“His focus was always on the people he tried to help and support and the people he kept in his sights. Thank you Katie for all your selfless service. We will miss him so much,” he said on social media.
Dutton called her “a wonderful mother and wife, a talented physician and a passionate community advocate.” Frydenberg said she was “brave, smart and beautiful… special, a step above the rest”.
Also paying tribute were defense secretary Richard Marles, shadow ministers Andrew Bragg and Tim Wilson, former health secretary Greg Hunt and independent MP Allegra Harsama.
Liberal senator Sarah Henderson said Allen was “a woman of extraordinary intelligence and achievement” and “a warrior for the people she represents”.
Liberal senator James McGrath paid tribute to his former colleague on Wednesday, telling Radio National that “to know Katie is to love Katie and to love life.”
“He was one of those people who brought the spirit of deep thought and just the spirit of joy of life,” he said.
“But to make light of Katie, you did so at your own peril. She was very strong; she had an iron fist hidden behind a velvet glove, and Australia is made poorer by her loss… she will be missed and we will all love her.”
