Mum’s eyes ‘lit up’: Liberal leader’s touching tribute
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has paid tribute to her mother and “inspiration” who died just days after Ley became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party.
Ley was deep in negotiations with Nationals leader David Littleproud on a new Coalition agreement following the federal election loss when her mother died.
Angela Braybrooks’ funeral service will be held at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Albury on Friday morning.
The Nationals quit the Coalition days after the death of Braybrooks, although they patched up their differences this week.
Ley said Braybrooks was “comfortable and at peace” in her final moments.
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“My family and I feel this loss deeply,” she said on Friday.
Ley paid tribute to her mother, a mental health nurse who she said had helped “so many people throughout her life”.
She credited Braybrooks with teaching her the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence.
“Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination,” Ley said.
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“I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will.”
Sussan Ley says her mother Angela Braybrooks has been a constant inspiration. Photo: AAP
Ley said their parish priest had organised a FaceTime call urging Braybrooks to “hang on” to see one more special moment in her daughter’s life.
“Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference,” she said.
“As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement.
“It was a moment I will treasure, forever.”
Ley thanked the many Australians who had expressed sympathies to her and her family.
