Former Australian defence minister dies

Former senior Liberal minister Kevin Andrews died overnight following a battle with cancer.

The family of Mr Andrews has issued a statement saying he passed away surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Margaret.

Mr Andrews had been battling cancer for the past year.

“We are deeply proud of his service to our country, our local community and his party, although shattered by his death after a year-long battle with cancer,” the family said.

“Kevin was devoted to his country, his family, and his faith and lived a full life of service.

“Right up to his death, he was working on a number of projects, including his memoirs, which we will endeavour to have published posthumously.”

Mr Andrews held several portfolios across his distinguished career, including Defence.

He was known as a conservative member with strong Catholic values.

He campaigned for social and charitable causes after he left parliament in 2022.

Before politics, he worked as an associate to Sir James Gobbo at the Victorian Supreme Court before leaving to become a barrister.

After six years, Mr Andrews made the move into politics winning the seat of Menzies in a 1991 by-election.

He went onto hold the seat for 31 years.

He campaigned on life issues from the backbench before becoming the minister for ageing, employment and immigration during the Howard government.

During his political career, Mr Andrews pushed for some controversial pieces of legislation, including a citizenship test and the industrial relations package WorkChoices.

He nominated the reforms among his achievements in his valedictory speech to parliament.

During former Prime Minister Tony Abbot’s period of leadership, Mr Andrews served as minister for social services and minister for defence.

Mr Andrews retired from politics in 2022 after losing preselection for Menzies, the first time a sitting federal Liberal MP was unseated in a Victorian preselection battle in more than 30 years.

As part of his long parliamentary services Mr Andrews became “father of the House” until he resigned.

In a statement to X, Mr Abbott praised Mr Andrews as a “fine Australian, a highly effective minister, a loyal colleague, and a great friend”.

“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 experience version of work for the dole,” he said.

“As defence minister, he supervised our armed forces training mission to the Iraqi army that helped to defeat the Islamic State insurgency.

“He was also a key contributor to the Howard government in the portfolios of workplace relations, immigration, and aged care.”

Mr Abbott said Mr Andrews was “a rare intellectual in our political life”.