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Former Liberal MP and Paediatrician Katie Allen Dies at 59

Her family said she had been fighting cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile‑duct cancer.

Overview

  • Her death was announced by her family in a social media statement that said she passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
  • Allen publicly revealed a stage‑4 cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis earlier this year, days after contesting the federal seat of Chisholm.
  • She served as the federal member for Higgins from 2019 to 2022, a tenure noted for crossing the floor in 2022 to back stronger anti‑discrimination protections in a religious discrimination bill debate.
  • Before politics, she was a paediatric specialist and health leader, including roles at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Royal Children’s Hospital and on the board of Cabrini Health.
  • Tributes from across politics, including Brad Battin, Jane Hume, Brad Rowswell and Bridget Vallence, praised her service and personal generosity.