Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce and Labor minister Tanya Plibersek have both shared touching tributes to Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, who died earlier this month, aged 33.
Joyce and Plibersek appeared on Hot Topics on Sunrise on Monday, ahead of a private funeral service for Fitzgibbon at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cessnock, in the NSW Hunter region.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sunrise guests Barnaby Joyce and Tanya Plibersek get emotional as they pay tribute to Jack Fitzgibbon.
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Fitzgibbon died on March 7 in a parachute accident during an army Special Forces training exercise at the RAAF Base in Richmond, about 50km northwest of Sydney.
He is the son of former federal defence minister, Joel Fitzgibbon.
Joyce praised the whole family for their community service
“The Fitzgibbon family are a family of honour —Jack died in service to our nation, Joel has served our nation,” a clearly emotional Joyce said.
“The family will be absolutely grieving.
“We hope and pray that Jack is with our maker, (and that) gives comfort to the (family).
“You’ve seen the Fitzgibbons, you’ve watched them on television. They’re a great family. Joel is also my mate. We’ll turn up (to the funeral) and give what support we can to Jack’s family.”
Plibersek was equally solemn in her own tribute.
“It’s just the worst thing that any parent can imagine, and so our hearts go out to Joel and Diane and their family and the friends and comrades Jack had in the service as well.
“We know there’ll be a lot of people grieving today.”
The Fitzgibbons are a prominent family in the Hunter, which Joel Fitzgibbon represented as a federal Labor MP for 26 years after winning pre-selection when his father Eric retired in 1996.
Senior politicians and army figures are expected to attend the funeral.
Joel Fitzgibbon has said the defence role was his son’s dream job.
“Our hearts broke and our lives changed forever,” he posted to X, formerly Twitter, after the sudden death.
“But we are proud of our beautiful Jack.
“He died doing something he loved and in service to his country.
“(We are) overwhelmed by expressions of love, sympathy and support, we say thanks.
“Lest we forget.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to the young soldier and sent condolences to his family.
“The extraordinary men and women who volunteer to serve in the Australian Defence Force do our nation proud every day,” he said.
“Every death in the service of Australia carries the heavy weight of loss and sadness (and) the tragedy of a life cut cruelly short.
“This tragic accident is a harsh reminder that there are no easy days for those who defend our nation.”
– With AAP