RTX1KMBJ
IN PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (C) and his wife Margaret watch as relatives of the Australian victims of Malaysia Airlines jet MH17 place floral tributes at a memorial that was unveiled outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, July 17, 2015. Australia urged the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to support the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute those suspected of downing Malaysia Airlines jet MH17 in eastern Ukraine last year. REUTERS/David Gray

On Tuesday, the news of Federal Liberal MP Don Randall, aged 62, shook the entire Australian Ministry. It has been reported that he was found in his car in Boddington, south of Perth. A representative of police confirmed that investigations are underway and that it was not considered to be suspicious in nature. The MP is survived by his wife Julie and their two children Tess and Elliott.

The late Mr. Randall, who was a member of the West Australian electorate of Canning since 2001, suffered from heart problems lately, which might have contributed to his death. He had also served as the member for Swan from 1996 to 1998.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has expressed grief saying that it was a dark day for Mr. Randall’s family and the parliament. Mr. Abbott said that he was “strong local member” and showed no fear and hesitation to voice his opinions in the partyroom in Canberra. "He was a good bloke, he was a tough bloke and he'll be missed,” he said.

Saddened and shocked by the news, West Australia Premier Colin Barnett said Mr. Randall was very committed to his work and extended his sympathies to his family. Similarly, opposition leader Bill Shorten stated many including both sides of Parliament and members of the Labor Party respected the MP. “Don was rightly proud of his fierce advocacy for his state and the people of Canning," Mr. Shorten said.

ABC reported that Mr. Randall had been a teacher as well as a local councillor, before he became a member of the parliament. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who had been a colleague of Mr. Randall, was deeply saddened by the incident and said that he would be missed greatly. She boasted of his “giant personality” and enthusiastic nature.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, Federal Liberal MP Dennis Jensen and Labor MP Gary Gray have expressed both shock and grief over the incident and said that they would miss him and his fighter personality and persistence. Similarly, West Australia MP Tony Simpson and Mr. Randall had been very close to each other for years and Mr. Randall had been an inspiration to him.

Contact the writer on priya.shayani@gmail.com

RELATED STORIES