Abbott government MP Don Randall found dead

West Australian Liberal MP Don Randall has been found dead.

Mr Randall was found dead in his car in Boddington, a small town in his electorate, south of Perth. It's understood Mr Randall suffered a heart attack. He was 62.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott led tributes on Tuesday evening, saying he was shocked and saddened to learn of the MP's death and expressing his condolences on behalf of the government and Liberal Party for Mr Randall's wife Julie and their two children.

"Don was an outstanding local member. He was a passionate and persuasive advocate in Canberra and a hardworking community leader in Western Australia," he said.

"Don made a fine contribution to the Howard government and particularly to the Coalition during our years in opposition. He was a mentor to many and integral to the success of our party in the state of Western Australia.

"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."

It's understood Mr Randall was going about his job as a local member and was on an electorate visit when he died.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said many on the Labor side counted Mr Randall as a friend.

"He was a thoroughly good and decent bloke," Mr Shorten said in a statement.

"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."

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop described Mr Randall as a "dear friend" with a "giant personality", who "approached each day with great enthusiasm".

"He will be remembered for his commitment to community service, his wit, his frank opinions freely shared and his abiding loyalty to his friends."

Treasurer Joe Hockey said he was "shocked and devastated" by Mr Randall's death.

WA MP Ken Wyatt told Fairfax Media he was "a man committed to his electorate, to his family and to the people who meant so much to him".

Good friend and fellow WA MP Steve Irons said Mr Randall was a "loveable rogue".

"He was a mentor for me, I was supposed to be catching up with him on Saturday. He was a good man with a good heart," he said.

"It's a tragedy when something like this happens, especially when people are so young."

Mr Randall first entered Parliament when the Coalition assumed power in 1996, as the Member for Swan.

After losing his seat in 1998, he was re-elected in 2001 as the Member for Canning, the electorate he has represented since.

He made headlines in February this year as one of two MPs who moved the motion for a leadership spill against Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

WA Police said police were told just before 3pm that Mr Randall had been found in his car. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene "but tragically the man was found deceased".

"The death is being investigated by WA Police and there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances at this stage.

"Family members are also being advised."

Born in in rural Merredin in 1953, he worked as a teacher, local councillor, horse trainer and consultant before entering Parliament. He had also held various offices in the WA Liberal Party.

Mr Randall held several junior shadow ministerial positions after the defeat of the Howard government in 2007, including parliamentary secretary for energy and resources, roads and transport and local government between 2007 and 2013.

Liberal MP Dennis Jensen said Mr Randall was "always someone who stood up for what he believed".

It's very sad, he was always someone who was so full of life," he said. "It's a high pressure job and people forget that MPs are also people."

Over the years, Mr Randall developed a reputation as an outspoken MP who was willing to make controversial statements and speak his mind on a range of issues.

After the election of the Abbott government, he endured a torrid time over his misuse of parliamentary expenses. Mr Randall came under fire for billing taxpayers more than $5000 to fly business class from Perth to Cairns with his wife, which included a visit to an investment property.

In his maiden speech to the House of Representatives, Mr Randall spoke of his admiration for "a nation where people who are willing to make sacrifices can succeed".

"The worst thing that could happen to Australians is if they begin to believe, to quote the former prime minister, that 'this is as good as it gets'. Very rarely do we reach that point where there is no more to strive for, that all has been achieved."

Mr Randall's passing means that a by-election will have to be held in what is a very safe Liberal seat.

According to the Parliamentary Library, the Speaker of the House of Representatives can issue a writ for the election of a new member.

"The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 specifies that the election must be held between 33 and 68 days from the date the writ is issued," according to a library research paper.

"There is no prescribed time period within which a by-election writ must be issued and, in fact, there is no accepted view as to the period that should elapse between vacancy and polling day."

- with Fergus Hunter