'Passionate, persuasive' Don Randall dies

Mr Randall was discovered in his car at the southern WA rural mining and agricultural town of Boddington, located in his Canning electorate.

The 62-year-old Liberal MP was born in the WA wheatbelt town of Merredin and worked as a teacher, local councillor, horse trainer and consultant before entering parliament in 1996.

He was known for representing the diverse interests of his Canning electorate, which covers outer-metropolitan Perth suburbs Kelmscott and Armadale and semi-rural towns with agricultural interests like Serpentine-Jarrahdale, through to Waroona, Pinjarra and Mandurah.

Mr Randall’s sudden passing has shocked Australia’s political leaders who have praised his passionate and forthright advocacy and also sparked heartfelt responses from his political allies and foes.

In a statement, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was shocked and saddened to learn of his colleagues’ sudden passing.

“On behalf of the government and the Liberal Party, I convey my condolences and deepest sympathies to Don’s wife Julie and their two children,” he said.

“Don was an outstanding local member.

“He was a passionate and persuasive advocate in Canberra and a hardworking community leader in Western Australia.

“He was first elected to the House of Representatives as the local member for Swan in 1996.

“He was elected as the local member for Canning in 2001 and re-elected in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013.

“Don made a fine contribution to the Howard government and particularly to the Coalition during our years in opposition,” Mr Abbott said.

“He was a mentor to many and integral to the success of our party in the state of Western Australia.

“He served the party for many years prior to his election to parliament including on the State executive.

“It’s hard to credit that this strong voice for Western Australia and servant of our party has left us so soon.

“All his colleagues will mourn his passing and honour the contribution that he has made.”

In a statement, Opposition leader Bill Shorten expressed deep sympathies to Mr Randall’s family and many friends, saying he was liked on both sides of the federal parliament and was counted as a friend by many in the Labor Party.

“He was a thoroughly good and decent bloke,” he said.

“West Australian through and through, Don was rightly proud of his fierce advocacy for his state and the people of Canning.

“This sad news will have come as a shock to members and senators tonight.

“This is a moment that puts daily politics in perspective - it reminds us of how precious life is.”

Mr Randall was an active participant in the heated debate over wheat export deregulation during the mid-2000s, when he supported the view that AWB deserved to permanently lose its single desk power of veto over wheat exports due to corruption exposed by the Cole inquiry.

In more recent times, he championed the importance of the Abbott government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, describing it as a key opportunity for the sustainable development of primary industries.

The Liberal MP was also a champion for improved regional infrastructure and services including roads, health and communications.

WA Liberal Senator Chris Back spoke to Sky News last night about the shock loss of his friend and political colleague who he shared a bond with, over the horse racing industry.

Senator Back said he was “gutted” about losing his friend and one of the larrikins of federal parliament who was known for “championing the little man” and took up the cause of people who’d been wronged.

On Twitter, federal Nationals leader Warren Truss said Mr Randall was “a great champion for his electorate and Western Australia - we will miss his determination persistence and friendship”.

Other MPs also used social media to express their grief.

Senior Labor MP Tony Burke ?tweeted: “Terrible news about Don Randall. I'll never forget his committed advocacy on behalf of his local farmers - condolences to his family”.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson said Mr Randall was a “fearless advocate for his community”.

Victorian Nationals MP Darren Chester said the sad news arrived on the same day that family and friends farewelled former Hume Liberal MP Alby Schultz, who died last week after a long battle with cancer.

“It's hard to believe another great political character has passed away - vale Don Randall,” he said.