Western Australia Premier Roger Cook announces death of mum Lynette Owen

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late mother.

Mr Cook took to social media on Thursday to announce the sudden loss of the ‘wonderful’ Lynnette Owen on Monday.

‘She was a wonderful mum of seven kids, and a much-loved grandmother,’ he wrote.

‘Alongside my dad, 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 mum.’

He was back at work less than 24 hours after his mum’s death to welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Perth.

Mr Cook also thanked the messages of love and support that people had shared with his family, in particular those for his father Hugh.

WA treasurer Rita Saffioti paid special tribute to Mrs Owen in parliament and commended Mr Cook returning to work less than 24 hours later.

Mr Cook previously committed to personally welcoming Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Perth on Tuesday after meeting with Anthony Albanese in Canberra.

‘On behalf of the Parliament of Western Australia, I want to offer our condolences to the Premier and Carly, the Premier’s father Hugh, and the whole Cook family,’ Ms Saffioti told WA parliament, The West reports 

‘I also want to acknowledge on behalf of the State of Western Australia, the incredible efforts the Premier went to on Tuesday to honour his commitments on behalf of the State as part of Premier Li’s official visit to Western Australia all while while he was still processing the loss of his mum.

‘It was incredible strength and our thoughts continue to be with the Premier at this time.’

In a show off cross-parliament support, opposition leader Shane Love extended his condolences to the Cook family on behalf of Liberal and National parties. 

Roger Cook (pictured as a child) remembered his late mother as a ‘wonderful mum of seven kids, and a much-loved grandmother’

He also thanked those who extended their condolences to the Cook Family, especially his father Hugh Cook (pictured centre) who was married to Lynette (left) for seven decades 

MPs from both sides of the political chamber and interstate reached out to the premier following the sad loss.

‘Sincere condolences Roger, Losing parents is very hard, especially such a wonderful mother,’ Liberal MP David Honey wrote.

Labor MP Christine Tonkin said Mr Cook carries ‘all the love with which she raised you’.

‘My sincere condolences to your Dad who must be suffering deeply at her loss,’ Ms Tonkin added.

Former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Michael Gunner, said he hoped the premier could ‘find a comfort with loved ones in your shared memories’.

‘She must have been incredible – 7 kids and 70 years of marriage is a rare effort and a testament to a deep capacity for love,’ Mr Gunner wrote.