Faith and conviction: Tributes flow for late Liberal minister Kevin Andrews

Work Choices was later repealed under Kevin Rudd’s Labor government.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott – who Andrews served under in the defence and social services ministries – described the late politician as a “highly effective minister”, loyal and a good friend.

“His strong sense of duty and service, his human decency and common sense, made him an adornment to our public life and an exemplar for future generations,” Abbott said.

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

Former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison said Andrews would be “greatly missed”.

“Kevin was a selfless public servant who lived his sincere faith through his devotion to his wife Margie and his family, his passion for the Liberal Party and his patriotism for our country,” Morrison said on Saturday.

Former federal treasurer Peter Costello called Andrews a “man of strong conviction”.

“He made important contributions to policy in defence and family policy, and he was working and writing on these issues to the end,” Costello said.

“His family and those he worked with can be proud of his legacy.”

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In 2007, Andrews famously revoked Dr Mohamed Haneef’s Australian visa. Haneef had been granted bail after being arrested in connection with terrorist attacks in Britain.

When asked why he revoked Haneef’s visa, Andrews cited secret information supplied by the Australian Federal Police. That decision kept Haneef incarcerated until the case collapsed.

Federal Liberal frontbench MP Michael Sukkar said Andrews had ultimately inspired his own entry into politics, and that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of his close friend and confidante.

“Guided by his faith, he always fought for important causes and stood tall in defence of timeless values,” Sukkar said.

“His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched, and we celebrate the very full and consequential life he lived.”

Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson said he would miss Andrews, calling him “thoroughly decent” and thoughtful, while Queensland senator Matt Canavan remembered Andrews as “a fighter and a gentleman”.

Former Liberal Party federal director Brian Loughnane described Andrews as a “true parliamentarian always guided by his faith” in his career and private life.

Andrews lost preselection for Menzies to former special forces captain Keith Wolahan ahead of the 2022 federal election, prompting his exit from politics after more than 30 years – making him the longest continuously serving member of federal parliament.

Former Victorian Liberal president Michael Kroger said he was a man of “considerable courage”.

“He stood by his beliefs. [He was] a man who would put his flag in the ground and stand by it.”

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