Former Canberra politician Dr Deb Foskey has died, remembered by her colleagues for her passion to improve the world.
Dr Foskey was the ACT Greens representative for Molonglo from 2004 to 2008.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said a formal condolence motion would be held in the Legislative Assembly next week.
In a joint statement, ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury and Member for Murrumbidgee Caroline Le Couteur said Dr Foskey had a "fierce intellect" and had committed her life to sustainability, compassion and community.
Throughout the '70s and '80s she campaigned to protect forests in her home of East Gippsland.
As a school teacher Dr Foskey moved to Canberra in the 1980s and after completing studies at the ANU became the sole Greens MLA in the ACT Legislative Assembly when she was successful in her campaign in 2004.
"In her term, Dr Foskey worked incredibly hard on issues such as sustainability, and triple bottom line analysis - which has been a standard process when evaluating major ACT government decisions through the cabinet process for the past eight years," Mr Rattenbury and Ms Le Couteur said.
"She was particularly proud of her strong support for residents of the Narrabundah long-stay caravan park, ensuring that when the private owner sold the land the residents were not simply evicted but that the ACT government needed to step in and do a land swap with the owner to preserve the homes of those residents."
Dr Foskey returned to East Gippsland after her time in the ACT Assembly where she ran for the Victorian Greens in last year's federal election.
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"It is a very sad day for the ACT Greens, and the Australian Greens, but we can all be proud of her achievements - both in the assembly, for the Greens, and in our communities - over her lifetime."
Dr Foskey is survived by her two daughters, Sam and Eleni.
On behalf of ACT Labor, I extend our condolences to Dr Foskey’s family, friends and colleagues.
— Andrew Barr MLA (@ABarrMLA) May 1, 2020
A formal condolence motion will be moved in the Legislative Assembly next week. https://t.co/WDZGRemGoK
Vale Deb Foskey.East Gippsland was in her blood and she fought for its forests her whole life. Dedicated scholar, teacher and ACT Greens MLA
— Christine Milne AO (@ChristineMilne) May 1, 2020
The @CanberraLibs pay tribute to former @GreensACT MLA Dr Deb Foskey. She was a lifelong activist who will be missed by many. Her conviction and compassion was respected by all sides of politics. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.
— Alistair Coe MLA (@alistair_coe) May 1, 2020
Vale Deb Foskey. Earth defender, compassionista, who leaves this world the better for her life and ideals. A day after Greenpeace’s great anti-SLAAP writ win v. loggers in US courts, we raise a glass to Oz’s only anti-SLAAP act, in the ACT, thanks to Greens MP Deb. Bob Brown. pic.twitter.com/IdmduTMiU1
— Bob Brown Foundation (@BobBrownFndn) May 1, 2020
Incredibly sad news that Deb Foskey passed away today. Deb was a fighter in all respects. Was always amazed by her poise & ability to keep a smile on her face no matter what. Deb was a champion for the Greens & the environment. A huge loss @GreensACT#actpol#Greens@GreensMPs
— Amanda Bresnan 🏳️🌈 🇦🇴 (@AmandaBresnan1) May 1, 2020
