John Kerin, an agricultural policy elder statesman, economist and Labor minister during the Hawke and Keating governments and has died at the age of 85.
Mr Kerin was first elected to the parliament in 1972.
He is considered to have played a key role in the Hawke government's economic agenda, including the removal of tariffs from imported agricultural products and driving major reforms aimed at boosting farm productivity, including the establishment of research and development corporations.
Mr Kerin served as minister for primary industries, energy, transport communications, trade and overseas development, and at one time was treasurer.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt took to social media this morning to pay tribute, describing John Kerin as "Australia's best and most reformist agriculture minister".
Minister Andrew Leigh wrote that Mr Kerin "wasn't just a terrific minister — he also stayed engaged in policy debates right up to the end".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also paid tribute to Mr Kerin on Twitter.
"Politics is like farming," Mr Albanese quoted Mr Kerin as saying.
"No-one is forced to do it, but someone has to do it."
Mr Kerin worked to remove protectionist systems established in the 1920s, including the reserve price for wool and the centralised wheat marketing board.
After his political career, he remained active and focused in particular on Australia's international agricultural aid.
"Post-politics, John Kerin chaired countless boards and shared generously his valuable time, sharp insights, dry humour and peerless networks," Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research chief executive Andrew Campbell said in a tweet.
"A great mentor and sounding board, an indelible contribution to agriculture and environment."
