Former prime ministers and senior Liberal MPs have paid tribute to the faith and conviction of former defence and immigration minister Kevin Andrews, who died on the weekend aged 69 following a year-long battle with cancer. Source: The Age.
The Liberal politician was once the longest continuously serving member of federal parliament, representing the seat of Menzies in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs from 1991 to 2022. He was a minister in both the Howard and Abbott governments.
In a statement, Mr Andrews’ family said he died peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, with his wife, Margie, by his side.
Mr Andrews’ family said they were “deeply proud” of his service to Australia, his local community and the Liberal Party.
“Kevin was devoted to his country, his family and his faith, and lived a life of service,” the statement said.
“Right up to his death, he was working on a number of projects, including his memoirs, which we will endeavour to have published posthumously.”
In a statement on Saturday, former Liberal prime minister John Howard said Mr Andrews was “a devoted family man who always placed the welfare of his family ahead of all other considerations”.
On Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he offered the Andrews family a state funeral, and paid tribute to the former minister’s “old school” values
In 1996, Mr Andrews, a devout Catholic, brought forward a bill to repeal the world-first euthanasia scheme introduced by the Northern Territory Parliament. The legislation was passed in 1997.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott – whom Mr Andrews served in the defence and social services ministries – described Mr Andrews as a “highly effective minister”, loyal, and a good friend.
“Kevin was honourably and consistently committed to the sanctity of human life. He understood the critical difference between declining to keep alive someone who would otherwise be dead and deliberately killing someone who would otherwise be alive.”
Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli also paid tribute to Mr Andrews on the Melbourne Catholic website.
“Among so many gifts he shared, there were three dimensions to Kevin’s life that were quite extraordinary,” Archbishop Comensoli said.
“He was a man of deep and remarkable faith, a man committed wholeheartedly to marriage and family, and a man of dedicated public service.”
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Faith and conviction: Tributes flow for late Liberal minister Kevin Andrews (By Ashleigh McMillan, The Age)
The Hon. Kevin James Andrews (Melbourne Catholic)
