House debates

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Condolences

Hughes, Mr Phillip Joel

4:22 pm

Photo of Bernie RipollBernie Ripoll (Oxley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

On indulgence, Labor is shocked and saddened—as I am sure members of the House and the Australian community are—by the tragic news of the death of Phillip Joel Hughes today. The circumstances around Phillip's injury and death have deeply touched not just the Australian community but also the international community. The outpouring of expressions of support and grief for Phillip Hughes and his family has touched all of us. The great character of Phillip and friendships he enjoyed has been well recognised, as has been the respect for him of his fellow players in cricket, particularly through the support Phillip received from his South Australian teammates and the broader cricket community from around the world. I want to express the Labor Party's deepest sorrow. I am sure that in the coming days the parliament will fully express its condolences also. His death is a great loss for Australia and cricket and an even greater loss for his family. Our thoughts are with them.