Mark Butler (Port Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy Speaker, on indulgence, I rise to record my condolences on the death of John McCarthy announced this afternoon by the Port Adelaide Football Club. John was holidaying in the United States with 10 teammates and died from injuries sustained in a fall from a building in Las Vegas in circumstances which, obviously, are still being investigated.

John was only 22. He had spent several years at the Collingwood Football Club after being drafted as a teenager. He joined Port Adelaide this year and played in 21 of our 22 games. John was an exciting player with a heap of potential to play an important role in the club's rebuilding in future years. After a tough year, this will be a difficult time for the Port Adelaide Football Club and our thoughts are with the club, especially John's teammates and the club's staff. Our deepest sympathy is extended to John's family and friends, particularly to John's parents, Shane and Cath; his brother, Matt; his sisters, Frances, Elizabeth and Jane; and his girlfriend, Dani. It is a shocking tragedy to lose someone so young with such promise. May John McCarthy rest in peace.

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