Why Peter Dutton suddenly choked back tears in Parliament

Peter Dutton has choked back tears as he paid tribute to the son of South Australia’s police commissioner, who was tragically killed in a collision near Schoolies.

Dutton, a former officer himself, took a moment to regain his composure as he read the open letter that Police Commissioner Grant Stevens wrote for his son Charlie following his death on November 17.

He and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese put aside their differences at the start of Question Time on Tuesday to pay their respects to Charlie and his devastated family.

‘Charles Hinchcliffe Stevens. Charlie, boy, Chaz, Links, Steve… You loved life and gave so much to so many,” he said before pausing.

Mr. Dutton’s voice broke as he continued reading from the letter. It read: ‘You are a force of nature and we will never forget your beautiful, cheeky, disarming smile.

“Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, colleague, teammate, so much more than just a number on a tragic tally.”

South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens wrote an emotional letter to his youngest son Charlie, who died after suffering an irreversible brain injury when he was allegedly hit by a car in Schoolies. The letter was partially read out in parliament

The Opposition Leader gave Mr Albanese the opportunity to share his own message to Charlie and his family to kick off Question Time, asking him about his response to the tragedy.

Mr Albanese also read from the same open letter, describing it as ‘extraordinary’.

“It is so deeply personal, so utterly true to the life of one young man in one loving family. And yet somehow it is so universal,” he said.

“So true to the joyful chaos of perfect mess, the vibrancy of our children as they grow into young adults. And so painfully powerful because it addresses every parent’s worst fear.’

Charlie, 18, was waiting for a bus with friends to go to Schoolies parties in Victor Harbor when he was allegedly hit by Dhirren Randhawa, also 18, in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, at around 9pm on Friday, November 17.

Mr Stevens died in hospital 22 hours later after suffering an ‘irreversible brain injury’, while Mr Randhawa was arrested a short time later on a nearby street after allegedly fleeing the scene.

Randhawa was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of an accident after causing death and failing to actually answer questions.

Mr Dutton, himself a former officer, struggled to regain his composure as he read out the open letter written by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens for his son Charlie after his death on November 17.

Charlie Stevens (pictured) remembered as a ‘beautiful boy’ by devastated loved ones

The display by both political leaders was a rare moment of bipartisanship during what is often the most explosive part of a sitting day

The display by both political leaders was a rare moment of bipartisanship during what is often the most explosive part of a sitting day.

But the duo has repeatedly shown that they will come together to acknowledge and tackle tragedies and issues close to their both hearts.

Earlier this week, Mr Dutton stood up to defend the Albanian government’s response to the violence against women crisis.

Blue Green independents Zoe Daniel and Zali Stegall were scathing about Labor on Monday, accusing them of failing to take adequate measures to protect women and children from domestic violence.

Mr Albanese said his government is working day in and day out to “make a difference” in this area.

At the end of Mr Albanese’s answer, Mr Dutton stood and noted that the Coalition supports Labor in the work they are doing.

“I support the Prime Minister in his comments… this is not a matter of point-scoring or political differences. “The Australian public should hear that there is no disagreement between either side, anyone in this Chamber, on this extremely serious issue,” he said.

“Every administration, including this administration, has been committed to doing the best it can to reduce violence through financing, through programs, through innovation.

“I don’t think it’s a fair criticism of the government that they haven’t done enough, aren’t doing enough or don’t intend to do enough in this area.

‘I don’t think that is the Prime Minister’s view at all and it mischaracterises the government’s approach, and the opposition’s approach will be to support it.’

Dhirren Randhawa, 18, (pictured leaving Christies Beach Magistrates’ Court in Adelaide) has been charged over the death of Charlie Stevens