Labor MP dies after breast cancer battle

"Every one of us in the Labor family is brokenhearted," the Prime Minster said. "Peta Murphy was brave, she was courageous and she was loved."

Speaking in Canberra, Mr Albanese paid tribute to the "extraordinary" Labor MP, who had been battling metastatic breast cancer.

"It was always clear just how much Peta cared for her community, her colleagues, and our country," Mr Albanese said.

"She helped lead the charge for important reforms like reducing the harm from online gambling, because she understood the greatest privilege of public office is the opportunity to make a difference."

MPs from across parliament paid tribute to Ms Murphy, 50, who was elected to the Victorian seat of Dunkley at the 2019 election.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said it was "devastating" to learn of Ms Murphy's passing.

Mr Dutton said the Labor MP was "highly respected across Parliament".

"For anyone who was on the opposing side of politics to Peta and sat on the opposite side of the chamber to her, it was impossible not to be impressed by the heartfelt and heroic way she spoke about causes dear to her: bettering the lives of women, children and families," the Liberal leader said.

Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh said Ms Murphy had "always been passionate about social justice, curious about the world, sport and witty".

Independent MP Monique Ryan said she had been one of Parliament's "best and bravest", and Liberal MP Keith Wolohan, who served on a committee Ms Murphy chaired, described her as "a person of character and principle".

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Ms Murphy was "an absolute gem of a person; so kind and so compassionate, so fun and so real", while Greens leader Adam Bandt said that "we're all poorer without her".

Mr Albanese said Ms Murphy "never asked for anything special" and "this Parliament was a better place" for her presence.

"While Peta's was a life so very well lived, it is hard to come to terms with the fact that she's no longer with us," he said. "Passing at just 50 years of age, far too young. With so much more to offer."

"From the squash court, to the law courts, to the House of Representatives, everything that Peta Murphy did, she did with her whole heart and what a warm, generous, strong and proud labour heart she had right up to last week," the Prime Minister said.

Mr Albanese said she insisted on attending Parliament last week even though "she was clearly very much not well" to advocate for a national registry for metastatic cancer patients.

"As ill as she was, she was again thinking about this. It was so true to Peta's character, that she channeled her personal battle with press breast cancer in a public policy, advocating always for others for better treatment, more services and stronger support," he said.

More to come.