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.
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. I intended to return to work part time next week, however my recovery is not going the way I had planned," Ms Richardson said in a statement.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I am grateful that the premier has agreed to an extended period of leave from my portfolio to enable me to concentrate on my health."
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.
