Former defence minister and Liberal party stalwart Kevin Andrews has died aged 69.
Andrews died on Friday with his wife, Margie, by his side, his family announced in a statement shared by the former prime minister Tony Abbott on social media.
He 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 statement 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.”
The father of five represented the blue-ribbon seat of Menzies in Melbourne’s east for three decades, holding prominent cabinet positions in the Howard and Abbott coalition governments.
He was a senior figure in the Liberal party’s right wing who championed conservative causes and served at various times as minister for defence, social services, immigration, ageing and workplace relations.
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