Former Liberal Minister Kevin Andrews’ achievements went beyond length of service
Armed with deep faith, conviction and a life dedicated to public service, Kevin Andrews worked tirelessly for the community, his family and faith, even after his fateful diagnosis.
A little over a year ago Kevin Andrews wrote a personal note to friends to let them know he had been diagnosed with cancer and was “now receiving treatment”.
He declared: “I am in good spirits and getting on with life”. His only concession to any dim outlook was that he would appreciate his friend’s “thoughts and prayers for me, Margie and our children”. It was clear the message was an acceptance of death.
Despite being in the public eye for decades as the Liberal federal MP for the Melbourne seat of Menzies, his only thought of public acknowledgment or interruption to his work was that he was “happy for you to share discreetly with friends”.
Last Saturday morning, Mr Andrews, a minister in both the Liberal governments of John Howard and Tony Abbott and, who, even as mere backbencher, had made his name as a man of conviction and faith, died quietly with his family.
The Andrews’ family has already been offered a State Funeral, as is the right of an honourable minister of the Crown, but it is the unanimity of the public accolades for Mr Andrews from across party lines and from three prime ministers and two opposition leaders that provides the true measure of a modern politician from the “old school” who, like Thomas More, served the people and the government but put faith in God first.
Mr Andrews was elected to the seat of Menzies in 1991 and served until 2022, sharing his public and private life as an MP with his life partner and wife, Margie, and five children, during which time he became the Father of the House of Representatives.
As a long-term opponent Anthony Albanese said Mr Andrews, a lawyer, was a strong advocate who “stuck to his guns” but was personable and polite.
“Kevin Andrews dedicated his life to the things he cared for most: family, faith, community and nation,” the Prime Minister said.
John Howard pointed to Mr Andrews’ conviction as a politician, his devout Catholicism, his success as a backbencher in then overturning the Northern Territory’s euthanasia laws as well as his service to the Australian people and parliament, and loyal support to him and the Liberal Party.
Kevin Andrews was a fine Australian, a highly effective minister, a loyal colleague, and a great friend.
— Tony Abbott (@HonTonyAbbott) December 14, 2024
As social services minister in the Abbott government, he brought-under-control exploding numbers on the disability support pension and implemented a private sector-work…
As Immigration Minister Mr Andrews’ famously revoked the Australian visa of Dr Mohamed Haneef, on the basis of a request from Scotland Yard, British intelligence and the AFP in relation to a terrorist incident in the UK. The case ultimately collapsed and Haneef left Australia. Mr Andrews was heavily criticised and lost politically but maintained he acted properly on advice.
Tony Abbott said Mr Andrews was a key minister in the Howard and Abbott Governments and was a loyal friend.
Mr Abbott pointed to Mr Andrews’ involvement in social services and development of disability policies.
Former Labor Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Minister for the NDIS acknowledged
Mr Andrews’ pride in his faith and recognised his bipartisan contribution to the development of the NDIS policy.
Statement from the family of the late Kevin Andrews: pic.twitter.com/2XpZ1gCSB8
— Tony Abbott (@HonTonyAbbott) December 13, 2024
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton described his personal and professional qualities and priorities as being “faith, family, intellect and service”.
Victorian Liberal frontbencher Michael Sukkar likewise said Mr Andrews’ was committed to country, community and family.
After his retirement from parliament and even more so his fateful diagnosis, Mr Andrews continued to work tirelessly for the community, his family and faith.
Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, like the political leaders, recognised that Mr Andrews achievements went beyond length of service or titles held and was a result of deep faith, conviction and a life dedicated to public service.
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