Federal Labor MP Linda Burney is taking leave from parliament following the sudden death of her son overnight.
Her son, aged 33, was found dead on Tuesday night at the Burney family home in Sydney.
"I returned to Sydney last night to be with him this one last time," Ms Burney said in a statement released to the media.
"He is a caring and loving man. He has struggled with mental health and with addiction.
"He tried so hard to conquer his demons as I and my family have tried so hard to support him in every way we could."
Ms Burney said in the statement that police had told her there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances, but the cause of her son's death was yet to be determined.
"I don't want to pre-empt subsequent inquiry but we all thought we were getting somewhere. I don't know what life will be like without him."
"I understand I am a public figure but in this dire, grief-stricken time for me, I ask that you respect my and my family’s privacy in all respects. When I can, I will speak about this."
At a media conference this morning Opposition Leader Bill Shorten extended his condolences to Ms Burney and her family.
"Yesterday her son passed away. A dearly loved 33 year old son of Linda Burney. I can't imagine what it's like as a parent to lose your child. I know how much her son loved Linda and how much Linda loved her son," he said.
He also asked for privacy for the family.
"At this time, on behalf of Linda and her family, we would request that the media respect her privacy."
Readers seeking support and/or information about suicide prevention e on 13 11 14.
NITV is not naming Ms Burney's son for cultural reasons.
With AAP
