ACT Legislative Assembly member Steve Doszpot has died of cancer at the age of 69, a month after announcing he would retire to raise awareness of the illness.
The Liberal MLA told the Legislative Assembly last month he faced a "grim prognosis", as he announced his intention to retire in December. He died of liver cancer on Saturday.
In a statement on Saturday afternoon, State Opposition Leader Alistair Coe said Mr Doszpot was a "great Canberran".
"Through his 12-month battle with cancer, his extraordinary humility, dignity, faith and commitment to family was an inspiration to all," he said.
"Despite the aggressive cancer, Steve would regularly say that he was lucky and that there were many who were doing it tougher than he was."
Throughout his nine-year tenure in the ACT Legislative Assembly, Mr Doszpot represented the electorates of Brindabella, Molonglo and Kurrajong.
In his valedictory speech to the Assembly in October, Mr Doszpot called for greater awareness of liver cancer.
"It is not for myself that I am asking, my cancer is inoperable, but in the course of my journey so far I have become very much aware of how early diagnosis of liver cancer could help save many lives," he said.
In his tenure Mr Doszpot served as opposition spokesman for urban services, information and communication technology and seniors.
Before politics he was the ACT event director for the Sydney Olympic Games.
He is survived by his wife Maureen, two children Adam and Amy, and his grandchildren.
