Gillard, Abbott, remember Peter Harvey

3 Mar 2013, 1:05 pm   -   Source: AAP
Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have both paid tribute to veteran journalist Peter Harvey. (AAP)

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have both paid tribute to veteran journalist Peter Harvey. (AAP)

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have both paid tribute to veteran journalist Peter Harvey, calling him an icon and giant of the media industry.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Australia's media has "lost a giant" with the death of veteran television journalist Peter Harvey.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has described Harvey as "an icon of journalism" and an inspiration to all who worked in the industry.

The newsman with the rich baritone voice died on Saturday, aged 68, five months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Best known for his 37-year career with the Nine Network, he enjoyed cult status for his sign-off with the famous pause: "Peter Harvey ... Canberra".

Ms Gillard said Harvey was "a true newsman to his bootstraps", whose remarkable five-decade career had seen him cover all the major stories of the past half century.

"He was well known to Australians, and he was well loved," the prime minister said in a statement.

She offered her condolences on behalf of the nation to Harvey's widow, children and colleagues in the media.

Mr Abbott paid tribute to Harvey's professionalism in print and television.

"His resonant voice will be missed from the news bulletins on our television screens," he said in a statement.

"He was a passionate newsman in every sense of the word and his passing represents a sad day for journalism in Australia."

Colleagues remembered Harvey's generosity and humour.

"One of the things I most admired about him was the way he mentored younger staff. Peter's was a generous spirit, he's a real loss to journalism," Laurie Oakes told Nine.

Ray Martin lamented the loss of a character.

"Journalism, like politics and life, is full of bland, colourless people," he said.

"He is full of colour."

Harvey used to laugh at the fact youngsters imitated his old Canberra sign-off.

"I'm getting kids aged 18 and 19 coming up to me and saying, `Would you say Peter Harvey, Canberra' for me," he recently told the ABC.

He is survived by his wife, Anne, his journalist children Claire and Adam, and his grandson Rory.

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