SA federal pollie stalwart dies
A former long-term Speaker and the uncle of a high-profile state Liberal, has died after a battle with illness.
Former Federal Member for Wakefield and Speaker of the House of Representatives John Neil Andrew AO has died after a battle with illness.
His niece, SA Liberal MLC Nicola Centofanti, shared a message from his family saying it was “with great sadness that we share the passing of our much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, John Neil Andrew AO”.
Andrew was born in Waikerie in the Riverland during 1944 and went on to be a long-standing member of the Federal Parliament.
After serving on the Waikerie Council and marrying Carolyn, a maths and science teacher at Waikerie High School, he was elected as the Federal Member for Wakefield in 1983.
He served as Opposition Whip in the Federal Parliament, was Chief Government Whip in 1997 and was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1998 until he retired from parliament in 2004. This meant he was Speaker during the celebrations of the Centenary of Federation in 2001.
Among those hosted by the parliament in his six-year term as Speaker were Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family along with official visits by the United States President and the Chinese President.
“To many, Neil will be remembered for his long and distinguished career in public life, including his service as the Federal Member for Wakefield, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and for his contributions to agriculture, regional Australia and the Murray-Darling Basin,” his family said.
“He will also be remembered as a proud Riverlander whose connection to the region remained an important part of who he was throughout his life.
“Despite the responsibilities and achievements of his public career, family was always incredibly important to Neil. We will remember his warmth, his wisdom, his sense of humour and the genuine interest he took in the lives of those around him.”
Andrew qualified as an Arbitrator and Mediator after leaving parliament, working mainly in the rural sector.
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He was appointed to the National Capital Authority and as a Commissioner on the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. From 2006 to 2012 he chaired the Crawford Fund in Australia.
In 2014, Andrew chaired the Murray Darling Basin Authority for a four-year term. He was also an honorary member of the Gawler Rotary Club and was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in January, 2008.
“We are enormously proud of everything Neil achieved and the contribution he made to his community, South Australia and our nation. But today, we remember and mourn the man we loved,” his family said.
“Neil will be greatly missed and forever loved.”
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