Abbott government MP Don Randall has been found dead. Police believe there were no suspicious circumstances. He is survived by his wife Julie and two children.
He represented the elecorate of Canning, in Western Australia, since his election to the House of Representatives in 2001. He had earlier been the member for Swan from 1996 to 1998.
Randall found unresponsive in his car: Police
Police said Mr Randall had been found unresponsive in his car near Boddington Golf Club in WA's Peel region just before 3pm.
Paramedics attended but he could not be revived.
It has ben reported he may have suffered a heart attack.
Abbott, Shorten pay tribute to Randall
Prime Minister Tony Abbott conveyed his condolences to Randall's wife Julie and their two children.
Mr Randall made headlines in February when he seconded the failed leadership spill motion against PM Abbott.
"Don was an outstanding local member. He was a passionate and persuasive advocate in Canberra and a hardworking community leader in Western Australia," the PM said.
"Don made a fine contribution to the Howard Government and particularly to the Coalition during our years in opposition," the PM added. "He was a mentor to many and integral to the success of our Party in the state of Western Australia".
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Mr Randall was liked on both sides of parliament and was counted as a friend by many within the Labor Party.
"He was a thoroughly good and decent bloke," he said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Mr Shorten said Mr Randall's death "puts daily politics in perspective and reminds us how precious life is".
MPs take to Twitter to pay tribute to Randall
Federal politicians expressed their grief on Twitter on Tuesday evening.
"Absolutely shocked and devastated to hear about Don Randall. A very good man. My heartfelt condolences to family, friends and colleagues," Treasurer Joe Hockey said.
Education Minister Christopher Pyne tweeted: "A good friend and colleague. I will miss him."
"He was a great man and an outstanding local member," he said.
Terribly shocked & saddened by Don Randall's passing. My deepest sympathies to Don's family. He was a great bloke. I'll really miss him — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) July 21, 2015
Liberal MP Bob Baldwin said he couldn't believe his "very close mate" had died.
Liberal Senator Chris Back paid tribute to his party colleague, saying Mr Randall was a straight shooter.
"I'm just absolutely dumbfounded and gob smacked," Senator Back told 6PR.
"There's no greater fighter than Don and of course Alannah MacTiernan and he had the most incredible and probably the most memorable battles for the seat of Canning."
Randall's legacy
Mr Randall made headlines earlier this year when he seconded fellow WA MP Luke Simpkins' spill motion to vacate the prime ministership.
He also was one of six Liberal parliamentarians who boycotted then prime minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to the stolen generations, the Guardian reports.
Between 2007 and 2010, he held shadow parliamentary secretary roles to the opposition leader and in energy, roads and local government.
He served on several committees including the legal and constitutional affairs and privileges committee.
The former horse trainer sparked opposition anger last year when he compared the plight of asylum seekers hoping to be allowed into Australia to betting on horses.
He came under scrutiny in 2013 over a $5200 trip with his wife to Cairns - which temporarily cost him his spot on the privileges committee. Mr Randall paid the money back but insisted he had acted within his parliamentary entitlements.
Prior to entering politics, Mr Randall spent 20 years teaching in special needs and mainstream schools.
He was a councillor for the Belmont City Council for three years before being elected to the House of Representatives as the member for Swan in 1996.
Mr Randall was re-elected into his marginal seat of Canning four times.
With AAP.
