Former Australian defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon has revealed he is still struggling to come to terms with the death of his son who died while serving his country.
Former politician Joel Fitzgibbon 'still breaking' over son Jack's parachute training exercise death at Richmond RAAF base
Australian Defence Force Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon died earlier this month during a routine parachute training exercise at Richmond RAAF base. Picture: SuppliedIn his first sit-down television interview with Sky News Australia host Erin Molan, Mr Fitzgibbon said he was"still breaking" that his only son had died.
Mr Fitzgibbon's family - including his wife Dianne and two daughters Caitlin and Grace have been overwhelmed by the support from not only Australia, but across the world, with thousands of messages of condolences and love being sent in. He understood almost better than anyone the dangers soldiers faced having served as the defence minister for the Rudd government in 2007, but the ex-politician had always put up a guard to stop him from worrying about Jack while he protected the country.
Mr Fitzgibbon later told Mr Marles it was"rather ironic" that he used to make the calls, but he never expected to receive one about his own child. Through tears, the dedicated father said he was"a little bit better" than his son at golf as he played more but Jack could hit a golf ball"out of sight".
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