Tears flow in Canberra as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pays tribute to Charlie Stevens

Emotions swept Question Time as the opposition leader choked back tears during an emotional tribute to the police commissioner’s son.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has broken down in an emotional tribute to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’ son Charlie, leaving members of federal parliament in tears.

During Question Time on Tuesday, Mr Dutton read out Comm Stevens’ open letter, penned in the days after Charlie was tragically killed in an accident at Goolwa Beach, introducing South Australians to “101” – the 101st life lost on SA roads in 2023.

The opposition leader choked back tears as he read the family’s heartbreaking words, pausing as he described Charlie’s “beautiful, cheeky, disarming smile”.

A number of lines from Comm Stevens’ poignant letter were met by laughter — and tears — from fellow parliamentarians.

Mr Dutton, who served as a Queensland Police officer for almost a decade, said he had a number of interactions with Comm Stevens over his career and considered him to be a decent man who dedicated himself to the community of South Australia.

Opposition Leader Petter Dutton broke down as he read Grant Stevens’ the letter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The reality is that there were 100 families before this 101 (Charlie) who I’m going to speak about at the moment, who have gone through the same pain and suffering,” Mr Dutton said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced Mr Dutton, commending Comm Stevens for his extraordinary strength in the family’s time of heartache.

Behind Mr Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles could be seen visibly distraught.

“Just hours after Commissioner Stevens addressed the state about the tragic shooting death of a police officer, Jason Doig, he and Emma received the news no parent ever wants to get Charlie had been the victim of an alleged incident,” Mr Albanese said.

Many seasoned newsreaders and Aussie stars were moved to tears reading the letter.

The prime minister said it was “little wonder” a number of journalists who read the letter live on air had broken down in tears.

“It is so deeply personal, so perfectly true to the life of one young man in one loving family, and yet it is somehow so universal, so faithful to the joyful chaos, the perfect mess (and) the vibrancy of our children as they grow into young adults,” he said.

“Even knowing that what prompted this letter is a cruel injustice of a young man snatched away from all who loved him and all he loved … this letter was not written in search of sympathy.

“It was published to ask us to reflect on the true nature of the road toll. Not a number, but a bright and beloved heart of the universe and the toll that is taken on all those who are left only with memories.

“Our hearts go out to Charlie’s family and to every family that has ever been left to pick up the pieces.”

Charlie will this week be farewelled in a twilight funeral service in Adelaide Oval’s Magarey Room at 7pm Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, the Stevens family has asked mourners to consider donating to the Operation Flinders Foundation – of which Comm Stevens is a board member – in their son’s memory.

Encounter Bay teenager Dhirren Randhawa, 18, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of a crash after causing death and failing to truly answer questions, over Charlie’s death.

He was released on bail after his first court appearance and is yet to enter a plea to the charges.