Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to honour the life and the legacy of Kevin Andrews. I, like Senator Chandler, only had the privilege of serving in this place for a three-year period of Kevin's long career. That represents 10 per cent of his 30 years—three decades—of service to this nation, as Senator Cash was speaking about. Having served with him for only that short time, I nonetheless learnt so much from him.

Like Senator Chandler, I was also appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System. We commenced that committee very early in that term of parliament. As someone who was new to this place, for me, Senator Chandler and other colleagues to get a masterclass in how to deal with very difficult issues, particularly when it came to the family law system, was a great privilege and an honour. The way that Kevin managed and facilitated that inquiry is something that I've tried to emulate through any other proceedings that I've had to do since that time.

But that wasn't the first chance I had to meet Kevin. He wouldn't have remembered, but I certainly remember meeting Kevin when he was Minister for Social Services and he'd commissioned Patrick McClure to do a review of the social services system. I remember Kevin describing it like a schematic diagram for an oil rig when you lay it all out. That's how complex the social services system was. He set in motion a plan to simplify that system so that we were better meeting the needs of Australians who were in need and doing it in a better and more efficient way so that that money that was provided by taxpayers was able to get to people who really needed it. That, I think, was the approach of Kevin Andrews right throughout his career—taking really complex issues and trying to simplify them to actually make a difference in people's lives.

I was speaking with Senator Blyth, who had her first party room meeting today, and she said she walked in and just saw all of these famous people. I, like Senator Chandler, as she remarked, walked into the party room and saw Kevin Andrews, someone that I'd admired significantly, not just because he was a conservative and someone I very much identified with but because he was someone that I knew served this nation with such commitment and drive and someone who you just knew was full of integrity. It's something that I try to emulate and try to follow in any possible way.

Kevin Andrews, in his final speech in this place not that long ago, in March 2022, said:

This, I believe, is the great Australian dream—to hand on to the next generation an even better nation than the one which we've inherited. I've always believed that a successful society is a compact across generations. We prosper because of the wise choices, the sacrifices and the hard work of previous generations, and, in turn, it's our duty to use our industry and judgement to ensure the best for future generations of Australians.

Well, this country is a better place for Kevin's contribution, and he made a difference to his community. He leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service to Australians. He was a man of faith, family and service. I want to extend my condolences to Margie and to his family and all those that were very close to him, who, as others have said, are no doubt hurting at this time. His life was lost to all of us and to them far too soon. Kevin, well done, good and faithful servant.