Mr DUTTON (Dickson—Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): on indulgence—I thank the Prime Minister for his very dignified, very warm and generous words. I'm honoured to be here to celebrate the life of Kevin James Andrews AM. It's an extension of what has been a long period of mourning for Margie, the family and all of those who were very close to Kevin. Six years before he was elected to the parliament, Kevin Andrews visited Washington, DC. The young man stumbled across an old political memorabilia shop. On a narrow, dusty shelf he chanced upon a copy of John F Kennedy's inaugural address, signed by the 35th President of the United States of America. That framed speech would hang on the wall of Kevin's office for his more than 30-year career as the member for Menzies. Kevin lived by Kennedy's immortalised words: … ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. But there was another less quoted line of that speech which Kevin adored and embodied. President Kennedy said: … civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. No-one could ever deny Kevin Andrews's civility or his sincerity. Testimony to that fact was the outpouring of love and respect for Kevin from across the political aisle after his untimely death. Born in Sale in Victoria, Kevin was proud to come from the great middle sector of Australia. His parents weren't wealthy, but they were hardworking, running a trucking business and a small farm in Gippsland. They inspired in him the diligence and dedication needed for success. As a racing commentator and sports reporter from his early teens, Kevin developed a love of speaking and writing that would equip him so well for his political life to come. But, before that, he would spend a decade in the Victorian legal profession as a barrister and, before that, as the associate to the late great Sir James Gobbo in the Supreme Court of Victoria. In the civil courts, Kevin witnessed the increasing economic plight of Australians. He wanted to make a difference to clients he helped, and his belief in liberalism as the true source of social justice thrust him into politics. Succeeding Neil Brown at a by-election in 1991, Kevin would go on to win the seat of Menzies a record 10 times. As a backbencher, Kevin quickly revealed himself to be a parliamentarian of profound skill and a man of principle driven by his Catholic faith. He campaigned to repeal the then euthanasia law in the Northern Territory, and, indeed, the Andrews bill remains one of the few successful private members' bills. Dignified, decent, determined and duty driven, Kevin was a dependable minister including in cabinet. He delivered for Prime Ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott, regardless of the portfolio he was dealt. In charge of aged care, Kevin increase the number of beds, eased administrative burdens for nursing staff and implemented a pricing review. Taking the reins of workplace relations, Kevin led the establishment of a permanent construction industry watchdog, restoring the rule of law to a lawless sector. At the helm of Immigration, Kevin introduced the Citizenship Act and strengthened the character provisions under the Migration Act. He recognised the importance of a shared national identity. Overseeing Social Services, Kevin reformed welfare payments and helped many Australians move from being on pensions back into the workforce, where they were able to. In command of Defence, Kevin oversaw the establishment of a single force structure, increased rotational exercises with key partners, authorised the replacement of our naval fleet and committed troops to fight the evil ISIS death cult in Iraq and Syria. Not to be forgotten is the pivotal role Kevin played in opposition, where he committed himself to the necessary discipline of policy review and development. In so doing, he helped forge the coalition's path out of the wilderness. Returning to the backbench, Kevin continued to make commendable contributions to the nation, most notably in bringing in the Magnitsky sanctions and improving the NDIS. For a man who saw politics as a vocation, it was fitting that Kevin finished his service as Father of the House. Possessing a profound intellect, Kevin Andrews was a prolific writer. Penning many books as well as many columns for The Spectator and Quadrant, Kevin exhibited that rare talent to traverse many styles and many subjects. His monograph of Joseph Lyons is a touching insight into our 'most reluctant Prime Minister', as Kevin described him. An avid cyclist, Kevin's passion pours forth from the pages of his book on Italian cycling. No doubt the members for Hume and Canning will recall Margie and Kevin's fondness for karaoke night at the Pollie Pedal. As they say, what happens on the Pollie Pedal stays on the Pollie Pedal—and Margie will be happy to hear that! A proud conservative, Kevin's collection of speeches, One People, One Destiny, includes an address from 2014 where he said: 'Conservatives believe custom and convention are preferred to endless and often needless change in the name of progress. Change should be judged according to the unintended consequences as well as the intended.' Kevin's most scholarly piece is his 2012 book, Maybe 'I Do'. It was a staunch defence of marriage and family as society's foundational building blocks. What Kevin understood academically he lived personally, for undoubtedly Kevin's greatest achievements were twofold: his marriage to his dear wife, Margie, a partnership where their attributes and abiding affection amplified them both; and their five cherished children, Emily, James, Stuart, Catherine and Benjamin. Kevin Andrews believed that a successful society is a compact across generations. Devoted to God, to his family, to his country and to his party, Kevin Andrews never neglected his role in that compact. To echo Tony Abbott's words at Kevin's state funeral, we are indeed much the poorer for his passing but we are so much richer for his living. Margie, to you—and it's lovely to see you in the company of Bernadette Hayes, your dear friend, today; thank you, Bernadette, for being there. It's fair to say Margie is an emotional person and has felt the loss terribly. She has been by Kevin's side through every major element of their lives together, public and private. Margie, the pain that you have felt has been felt by your family and by those who have long admired you and the relationship you've had with Kevin. You are a remarkable person and somebody of great achievement in your own right, but together you were a formidable partnership and together you created an amazing legacy for your family and for this country. We pay our deep respects to you and your family. May God bless Kevin Andrews, and may he rest in peace.