Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s father John has passed away at age 84.
The PM informed the country of the family death through a post on Facebook, describing his late dad as a “wonderful father” who “lived a life of love, faith, duty and service”.
“Last night I received the sad news that my father John passed away quietly and peacefully. He was aged 84. He lived a great life and was much loved,” wrote Mr Morrison.
“He was a loving husband to my mum Marion for 57 years. He was a wonderful father to me and my brother Alan. He loved Jen as a daughter and was a devoted grandfather to our girls.”
The prime minister spoke about his father’s commitments to the Army, NSW Police Force as well as his work within the local community.
“Dad lived a life of love, faith, duty and service. Dad served in the Army as part of his National Service, he was a dedicated member and officer in the NSW Police Force for his entire career, he served his local community as a Councillor and Mayor and many other roles, and he served faithfully in his church throughout his entire life as an elder, youth worker and in aged care,” he said.
“Dad had a deep and committed Christian faith, which is one of his numerous legacies in my life. Our family will miss him terribly, but we are extremely thankful for his great blessing in all of our lives.
Love you Dad and well done good and faithful servant.”
Mr Morrison’s personal news comes as he’s been addressing the nation’s bushfire crisis, an unprecedented wave of catastrophic conditions that began in September.
He has been under intense pressure for his government’s handing of the bushfire crisis that has killed 29 people and millions of animals, destroyed more than 2,500 homes and razed 11 million hectares of land – an area one-third the size of Germany.