Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce and Labor Minister Tanya Plibersek have both shared touching tributes to Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, following his death last week, aged 33.
On Monday, Joyce and Plibersek appeared on Hot Topics on Sunrise, ahead of a private funeral service at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cessnock, in the NSW Hunter region.
Jack Fitzgibbon died on March 7 after a parachute accident as part of an army training exercise, in a routine Special Forces training activity at the RAAF Base in Richmond, about 50km northwest of Sydney.
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Jack is the son of former federal defence minister, Joel Fitzgibbon.
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The soldier son of a former defence minister will be laid to rest at a private funeral service after he died during an army training exercise.
Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, son of long-time Labor MP and ex-minister Joel Fitzgibbon, died on March 7 after a parachute accident.
The incident occurred during what defence described as
The 33-year-old was taken to hospital in a serious condition but later died.
Cpl Fitzgibbon will be farewelled on Monday at a service at
Senior politicians and army figures are expected to attend the funeral.
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.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the defence role was his son’s dream job.
“Our hearts broke and our lives changed forever,” he said in a statement posted to X, formerly known as 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.
“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 following the corporal’s death.
“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.”