‘Man of conviction’: Touching tribute as long-serving Liberal MP Kevin Andrews farewelled at state funeral

Crowds of mourners have farewelled long-serving Liberal MP Kevin Andrews after his death at the age of 69. The former Liberal MP died last week after undergoing cancer treatment for a year. His family and wife of 45 years, Margaret, were by his side when he died in the early morning hours. Among the crowd for a State funeral at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Monday were former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott – both of whom Mr Andrews served under during his tenure. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was also present at the funeral, sitting at the front of the church with the former leaders. Mr Abbott delivered a eulogy, which told of the pain the Andrews family were feeling at the untimely death of a hardworking grandfather. Mr Abbott told mourners that after years of missed sports games and parent-teacher interviews, Margaret Andrews was looking forward to having her husband’s attention, and sharing it among their children and grandchildren. Mr Andrews died less than two years after his retirement from 31 years in federal parliament. The Andrews family will look to publish his memoirs. “As Margie was only too-achingly-aware, for the 31 years of his federal parliamentary service, Kevin was often the significant absence at family dinners, children’s sports events, and parent teacher nights,” Mr Abbott said in a eulogy. “Yet when his service to the parliament was finally ended, no one was more disappointed for Kevin than Margie; still, she was looking forward finally to having Kevin to herself and to the children and grandchildren. Mr Abbott said Mr Andrews was a “man of character, conviction and courage”. “(He was) a man of honour in the bear pit of public life; for whom politics was a calling not a career, and who never put personal preferment ahead of principle. “Above all, he was a gentleman, who never stooped to the dark arts of politics.” “For all his achievements on the national stage, it’s the family that Kevin and Margaret have built inside their home, with five wonderful children and their spouses and seven adored grandchildren that will stand as his legacy as much as anything he did in Canberra,” Mr Abbott said on behalf of his former colleague’s family. Mr Andrews reimagined back to his race calling days by commentating an annual politicians bike race in the style of a horse race caller, Mr Abbott remembered. Another fond memory is his friend singing love songs at karaoke “usually while gazing intently at Margie, who was often impatiently attending to the logistics of the ride”. The dedicated writer published a book on his local Catholic Church two weeks before his death, and the day before his death Mr Andrews was emailing his publisher about the memoirs he had worked on in the final months. Ms Andrews paid tribute to her “beautiful and courageous” husband who was “uncomplaining” until the end, even through cancer treatment. “Indeed, it was his faith that urged him to make a positive difference in public life, driven by the belief that every human being deserves dignity and respect as being made in the image and likeness of God,” the Andrews family said in a statement. “Margaret counts it a privilege to have shared 45 years of marriage with Kevin and will miss him deeply. “Eternal rest grant unto Kevin, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.” Attendees at the funeral included Liberal Senator James Paterson, outgoing Labor MP Bill Shorten, senior Liberal MPs Jess Wilson and Brad Roswell, as well as senior federal MP Michael Sukkar, senior Victorian Liberal Matthew Guy, former federal Liberal Tim Wilson and former state MP Bernie Finn. The Andrews family said they were “deeply proud” of his services to the Australian government during his tenure, where he represented the seat of Menzies for 31 years, working under the Howard and Abbott Liberal Governments. “Kevin was devoted to his country, his family and his faith, and lived a life of service,” a statement from the family read following his death. “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 served as Minister for Defence, Ageing, Employment and Workplace Relations, Immigration and Citizenship, and Social Services throughout the years. A devout Catholic, Mr Andrews opposed abortion, same-sex marriage, stem cell research and euthanasia. His journey to public service began in the east Victorian town of Sale where he was born and raised. After studying law at Monash and Melbourne University, he was an associate to Sir James Gobbo at the Supreme Court of Victoria. Mr Andrews spent six years as a barrister and then won the seat of Menzies in a by-election in 1991. Upon offering the State funeral, Anthony Albanese noted Mr Andrews’ “old school values”. Speaking in the eulogy, Mr Abbott made reference to the major reforms Mr Andrews had a hand in across various portfolios. “As Immigration Minister, his focus was to ensure that our migrants really did join Team Australia rather than simply live in Hotel Australia, via introducing the citizenship test,” he said.