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Kevin Andrews opposed the re-definition of marriage during the country’s same-sex marriage debate, and as a young backbencher was responsible for the private member’s bill which led to the overturning of Northern Territory’s euthanasia legislation in 1997.

Former long-serving Federal minister Kevin Andrews was remembered for his decades of selfless commitment to the country, his family and his Catholic faith, after his death from cancer aged 69 on 14 December.

The husband of Margaret Andrews and father of five served as the Liberal member for Menzies from 1991 until 2022 and held senior positions in the Howard and Abbott governments, including at times as the minister for defence, for workplace relations, ageing, and immigration.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered a state funeral for the leader, who was respected by colleagues across party lines.

“Kevin Andrews dedicated his life to the things he cared for most—family, faith, community and nation,” Albanese said in a statement.

“He served all four with integrity and devotion.”

Andrews opposed the re-definition of marriage during the country’s same-sex marriage debate, and as a young backbencher was responsible for the private member’s bill which led to the overturning of Northern Territory’s euthanasia legislation in 1997.

His service to the church included decades of leadership in Catholic marriage education along with his wife Margaret, and seven years as a consulter to the Pontifical Council for the Family from 2007.

At the time of his passing into eternal life he was serving on the council of Newman Catholic College at the University of Melbourne and as a director of Villa Maria Catholic Homes.

In his valedictory speech given in March 2022, Andrews said he had given up a law career to pursue his vocation in public life.

“A career is about the individual; a vocation is about a cause. My cause has been the peace, the welfare, and the happiness of the people of Australia,” he said.

“As I said when I first spoke in this place over 30 years ago: ‘Internally, my theme is justice. I declare my political creed here and now.

“It is that the essential end of government is not power or glory, but the good life for ordinary men and women. The ordinary man, as I know him, asks for a happy life, not a complaining one; for a full life, not an idle one.’”

Former prime minister John Howard paid tribute to Andrews, saying he was a “devout practicing Catholic, guided and sustained throughout his life by his strong Christian faith.”

Tony Abbott, who announced Andrew’s death on behalf of his family, made his own statement commending him as a “fine Australian, a highly effective minister, a loyal colleague, and a great friend.”

Predating his time as a minister, the Andrews bill was “one of his finest achievements,” Abbott said.

“Kevin was honourably and consistently committed to the sanctity of human life,” he added.

“He understood the critical difference between declining to keep alive someone who would otherwise be dead and deliberately killing someone who would otherwise be alive.

“He was also a strong supporter of the palliative care services that, at their best, mean that no one need die in severe pain.”

Archbishop Peter Comensoli of Melbourne. The Archbishop says that despite the extensive lockdowns in Australia over the last two years he sees signs of hope for evangelisation in many places. Photo: Giovanni Portelli