Tasmania's parliament has been rocked by news Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin is not expected to survive cancer.
Addressing the lower house on Thursday, an emotional Premier Will Hodgman read a statement from the 47-year-old's family, detailing an upsetting outlook for his long-time friend.
"It is extremely sad to convey the news Vanessa has an aggressive form of cancer and recovery is not expected," he said.
Dr Goodwin was rushed to hospital on March 24 and subsequently diagnosed with multiple brain tumours. She has not left hospital.
"Vanessa will now withdraw from public life and we ask that her privacy be respected," the statement continued.
Mr Hodgman said he visited Dr Goodwin on Wednesday night and she asked him to pass on her thanks for the many messages of community support.
"The members of this government are terribly distraught and are consumed with concern for our highly respected and deeply loved colleague," Mr Hodgman said.
"Vanessa is one of the most intelligent, committed, kind-hearted, loyal people I have ever known and she's one of my greatest supports and has been for many years."
With a career spanning eight years in the state's upper house, Dr Goodwin asked her parliamentary colleagues to continue business as usual, despite the news.
Fellow Liberal MP and Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the last thing he felt like doing was debating taxation measures.
"This is an extraordinarily difficult circumstance and to find out the news just a short while ago ... has rocked me absolutely," he said of Dr Goodwin's prognosis.
Labor opposition MP Scott Bacon offered his party's sympathy.
"All members of the Labor party's thoughts are with Vanessa and her family and everyone that's close to her," he said.
"Our thoughts are also with all members of the government, particularly the premier who has such a close relationship with Vanessa."
Liberal senator Eric Abetz said Dr Goodwin's departure from politics will leave a large hole.
The government has already redistributed Dr Goodwin's ministries.
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