- Kevin Andrews said goodbye at the funeral
- A liberal veteran died after a battle with cancer
Family, friends and former prime ministers gather to farewell Liberal Party stalwart Kevin Andrews at a state funeral in Melbourne.
The veteran federal MP has been remembered as a conservative warrior and a “man of conviction” following his death following a year-long battle with cancer on December 14.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott will deliver the eulogy at Monday’s service for Andrews at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne.
MPs from across the political spectrum shared their condolences to the family of former Defense Minister Andrews following his death.
Former Prime Minister John Howard said he spoke to Andrews, who served in his cabinet, a few hours before he died.
“To the end he was a warrior for what he loved,” Howard said in a statement.
Andrews was also part of Abbott’s cabinet, who remembered him as “an excellent Australian, a very effective minister, a loyal colleague and a great friend”.
Abbott shared a statement from Andrews’ family via social media on Saturday.
Family, friends and former prime ministers gather to farewell Liberal Party stalwart Kevin Andrews at a state funeral in Melbourne.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton praised Mr Andrews as the “finest man” and a “true Liberal”.
“We are deeply proud of his service to our country, our local community and his party,” the family said.
The father-of-five represented the prestigious Menzies seat in Melbourne’s east for three decades and retired in 2022 after losing a preselection battle.
It was the first time in more than three decades that a sitting federal Liberal MP was ousted during the Victorian preselection.
Andrews was a leading figure on the right wing of the Liberal Party, championing conservative causes and serving at various times as Minister for Defence, Social Services, Immigration, Aging and Workplace Relations.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton praised Mr Andrews as “the best of men” and a “true Liberal”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said both sides of the court would agree Andrews was a “man of conviction”.
Born in Sale, eastern Victoria, Mr Andrews moved to Melbourne to study law at Monash University and the University of Melbourne.
He worked as an associate to Sir James Gobbo at the Supreme Court of Victoria before leaving to become a barrister.
Former Prime Minister John Howard said he spoke to Andrews, who served in his cabinet, a few hours before he died.
The veteran federal MP has been remembered as a conservative warrior and a “man of conviction” following his death following a year-long battle with cancer on December 14.
After six years he moved into politics, winning Menzies in the 1991 by-election and holding the seat for the next 31 years.
He rose to prominence while still an MP when he introduced the Andrews Bill in 1996, which restricted the rights of the ACT and the Northern Territory to make euthanasia laws.
As a cabinet minister, he pushed through several controversial laws, including a citizenship test and a WorkChoices industrial relations package.
He backed Abbott when Malcolm Turnbull challenged him for the leadership in 2015, running unsuccessfully as deputy leader against Julie Bishop.
Andrews, a devout Catholic, advocated traditional family values and opposed abortion, same-sex marriage, and stem cell research.
He was the longest-serving member of parliament at the time and in his final speech said he entered politics to make a difference.