It is with great sadness that we learned today of the passing of our brilliant columnist Kevin Andrews, who also boasts on his CV being Defence Minister and holding other Federal ministries in successive Liberal governments.

A leading conservative, Kevin was a highly intelligent and perceptive man whose keen insights have graced our pages for many years.

Above all, his thoughts and warnings about China and other threats to our democracy made him a must-read columnist every week.

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

You can read his trove of Speccie columns here.