Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late mother.
Cook took to social media on Thursday to announce the sudden loss of the “wonderful” Lynnette Owen on Monday.
“She was a wonderful mother of seven children and a dearly loved grandmother,” he wrote.
‘Together with my father, to whom she was married for more than 70 years, she raised our family in a home full of love, respect and kindness.
‘I love you mom.’
He returned to work less than 24 hours after his mother’s death to welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Perth.
Cook also thanked the messages of love and support that people had shared with his family, particularly those directed to his father Hugh.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook (left) has announced the sudden death of his “wonderful” mother Lynnette Owen (right).
WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti paid a special tribute to Ms Owen in parliament and praised Mr Cook for returning to work less than 24 hours later.
Cook previously promised to personally welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Perth on Tuesday after meeting Anthony Albanese in Canberra.
“On behalf of the Parliament of Western Australia, I want to offer our condolences to the Prime Minister and Carly, the Prime Minister’s father Hugh, and the entire Cook family,” Ms Saffioti told the WA Parliament. The West reports
“I also want to acknowledge, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, the incredible efforts the Prime Minister made on Tuesday to deliver on his commitments on behalf of the State as part of Premier Li’s official visit to Western Australia while he was still processing the loss. of his mother.
“He was an incredible force and our thoughts remain with the Premier at this time.”
In a show of support between parliaments, Opposition Leader Shane Love expressed his condolences to the Cook family on behalf of the Liberal and National parties.
Roger Cook (pictured as a child) remembered his late mother as a “wonderful mother of seven children and a much-loved grandmother.”
He also thanked those who expressed their condolences to the Cook family, especially his father Hugh Cook (pictured center), who was married to Lynette (left) for seven decades.
MPs from both sides of the political and interstate chamber reached out to the Prime Minister following the sad loss.
“My condolences, Roger. Losing parents is very difficult, especially such a wonderful mother,” wrote Liberal MP David Honey.
Labor MP Christine Tonkin said Cook carries “all the love he raised you with”.
“My deepest condolences to your father who must be suffering deeply from your loss,” Mrs Tonkin added.
Former Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he hoped the Prime Minister could “find comfort with his loved ones in their shared memories”.
“She must have been incredible: 7 children and 70 years of marriage is a rare endeavor and a testament to a profound capacity for love,” Gunner wrote.