Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This morning I spoke with the member for Barton and expressed Lucy's and my deep sadness at the loss of her son at their home last night. As parents, our worst dread is the loss of a child. Linda's loss is unspeakably sad. She is not with us today—she has leave—but we are with her. We are all with her in love and in heartfelt sympathy. She is cast deep in grief, but she does not grieve alone. She is a strong woman—stronger because of the love that all of us, the sympathy that all of us and the friendship that all of us share with her at this tragic time for her and for her family.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Prime Minister for his heartfelt words. As honourable members are aware, the member for Barton has taken leave from this parliament following the tragic death of her 33-year-old son, Binni. As she said in her touching and sad statement this morning, she returned to Sydney last night to be with him one last time. On behalf of Chloe and myself, and on behalf of the whole Labor family, I want to offer our deepest condolences to Linda and her family. This is just so sad. As Jenny Macklin and I were speaking to her last night, the grief was terrible. Losing a child is every parent's nightmare. It is, as Shakespeare once said, a grief that fills up the room. We know how much Linda loved her son and we know how much her son loved Linda.

In this time of deep sadness, can I please request that the media respect her family's privacy, and I know that they will. And I should add that the family have asked that, instead of flowers, if people are so inclined, could they please contribute to the Central Coast Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre. All of us send our love and our solidarity to our friend and colleague and her family at this time.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the House, I thank the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for speaking so eloquently on all our behalves.