Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has shared an emotional statement grieving her mother, who died early this morning.

Ley said her mother, Angela Braybrooks, had died in an aged care facility in Albury, in southern NSW.

“My family and I feel this loss deeply,” Ley said in a statement.

“Mum was a mental health nurse who helped so many people through her life. 

“She taught me the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence.

Angela might not have imagined during Britain’s wartime era that her daughter would make history as Australia’s first female Leader of the Opposition. But it was through Angela’s influence that this milestone was achieved this week.

Ley said she had taken inspiration from her every single day of her life.

“It was a gift of fate that I was able to share Mother’s Day with my mum one last time on Sunday,” Ley said today.

In Canberra on Monday evening, our parish priest set up a FaceTime call, urging Angela to hold on for one more significant event in her daughter’s journey. He assured her that if she could manage that, there would be a celebratory champagne the next day. 

On Tuesday, shortly after my Liberal colleagues entrusted me with the great honor of leading our party, I made my way back down the Hume Highway to be by her side. 

“Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference. 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 everyone who had given their condolences for the loss, and also thanked the staff at the Riverwood Aged Care Facility, where her mother died.