Representing the southeast Melbourne seat of Dunkley, Ms Murphy returned to Canberra for the first sitting day of the year on Monday, sporting a different hairstyle after undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Ms Murphy was diagnosed in 2011 but it returned in 2019 just after she was sworn in as an MP.

She is determined to contribute to the Albanese government's policy agenda for the year, including a referendum to establish an Indigenous voice to parliament and measures to reduce the gender pay gap and increase housing affordability.

She said laws passed last year to make childcare cheaper, establish paid domestic violence leave and cut the cost of medicines would make a difference to the lives of Australians.

"It's a big year, 2023, let's get going," she said.

Before parliament's return, Ms Murphy said she wanted to use her platform as an elected representative to make life better for other people.

"You want people to understand that there is something happening but you don't want to be treated differently," she told Nine's Today Show.

"I still want to be the best advocate I can be for my community."

Australian Associated Press