Victorian Greens MP Tim Read passes away at 64 after cancer battle

Tim Read, the Victorian Greens representative for Brunswick, died at 64 after a prolonged battle with metastatic cancer. A former GP, he retired from parliament in January and used his remaining time to challenge the Allan government's decision to close VicHealth, citing its pioneering sun-safety work that could have helped him earlier in life. He had previously been arrested for spray-painting health messages on tobacco billboards before entering parliament.

Ellen Sandell, the Greens leader, described him as the most liked MP in the state legislature, noting his conviction, integrity and humility. The seat will remain vacant until the scheduled state election on November 28, as the Greens hold a 13.7-point margin over Labor. Read first contested a federal seat in 2013 and won Brunswick on his second attempt in 2018.