Erin Molan has broken down after interviewing the woman selected to replace her late father in the Senate.
The Sky News presenter was overcome with emotion while interviewing Maria Kovacic on her evening program on Friday night.
At the end of the interview, Ms Molan turned to her next guest, Adviser to Ukraine, Ukrainian’s defence Minister, Yuriy Sak, when she began to tear up.
“The mayor of Kyiv is accusing Russia of genocide after an attack on his city – my apologies, a bit emotional,” she said as her voice broke.
“ – killed three people including a nine-year-old girl; this should give me perspective on what’s happening over there.”
She apologised to Mr Sak, who in turn gave his condolences and said he “knows what it feels like” to lose a loved one.
Ms Molan had been interviewing the successful candidate for her late father Jim Molan’s Senate seat.
Mr Molan died of prostate cancer in January.
“I will say when dad passed away, the one thing that everyone in the house said to me from both sides, all different political parties, was that when he said something to you, he meant it; he was a man of his word,” she said at the conclusion of the interview.
“And his smile, so smile a lot and enjoy it.
“I know it’s going to be tough, but make sure you enjoy it because dad genuinely loved it.”
Ms Kovacic paid tribute to Ms Molan’s father on the show.
“He was such a great Australian, such a legacy of service and leadership, not just in politics, but throughout his military career and it’s something that we all recognise and are incredibly proud of,” she said to Ms Molan.
“And I’ll work very, very hard to, to demonstrate the trust and confidence that has been put in me to carry on his work.”
The former president of the NSW Liberal party defeated challenger Andrew Constance, a former NSW MP, to secure the seat.
She resigned from her official party position to run for the seat.
“Maria Kovacic is a formidable woman and a fitting replacement for the late, great Major General Jim Molan,” federal deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said after the selection was announced on Saturday.
Ms Kovacic has come from a business background, previously running a mortgage and finance business for 16 years.