Victorian Liberal MP Renee Heath has broken her foot after tripping inside Parliament House, forcing the upper house politician into a moon boot just months out from the November state election.
The incident occurred inside the Victorian Parliament and was captured on the building’s livestream, with colleagues moving quickly to assist Heath after she fell.
Despite initially appearing to brush off the fall, the injury turned out to be considerably more serious.
Medical assessment subsequently found Heath had fractured her third metatarsal, injured three joints and suffered multiple sprains in the foot.
The injury has not, however, kept the Liberal MP away from Parliament.
Heath returned to work wearing a moon boot on the injured foot, while continuing to wear a red kitten heel on the other — prompting some light-hearted commentary about the MP finding a way to maintain her usual fashion style despite the injury.
The parliamentary stumble comes at a particularly busy time for Victoria’s opposition, with the Liberal-National Coalition preparing for the November 28 state election and MPs spending increasing amounts of time campaigning outside Spring Street.
Heath represents the Eastern Victoria Region in the Legislative Council and was first elected to Parliament at the November 2022 state election.
She currently serves as Shadow Minister for Youth Justice, Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention and Victim Support, and Shadow Minister for Bay Protection, according to the Victorian Parliament.
Before entering politics, Heath worked as a health professional after completing degrees in health science and chiropractic, and was involved in community health and environmental projects in Gippsland.
Her political career has frequently placed her among the more outspoken conservative voices within the Victorian Liberal Party.
But this week it was not a political clash that briefly stopped her in her tracks.
The livestreamed fall reportedly prompted immediate concern from nearby MPs, although Heath remained composed and reassured those around her before the extent of the injury became clear.
A broken metatarsal can take several weeks to heal depending on the location and severity of the fracture, meaning Heath may be campaigning in a moon boot for at least part of the crucial lead-up to the election.
The Liberal MP has nevertheless continued carrying out her parliamentary duties.
The unusual sight of a moon boot paired with a bright heel has also provided a lighter moment during what has otherwise been an intense period at Spring Street, where MPs have been dealing with major battles over the Suburban Rail Loop, migration, cost of living and the rapidly approaching election.
For Heath, the priority now will be allowing the injury to heal while continuing her political schedule.
And with Victoria’s opposition trying to put its best foot forward ahead of November, one of its MPs will — quite literally — be doing so with only one foot fully available.
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