Queenslanders have lost a political giant following the death of Wayne Goss, his friends and colleagues say.
The former Labor premier died at home, surrounded by his family, after years spent battling brain tumours.
He was 63.
Tributes are flowing for the man who in December 1989 became Queensland's first Labor premier in 32 years, ending the old National Party's long grip on power that had been dominated by Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
He quickly set about scrapping the sunshine state's infamous gerrymander that kept the National Party in power by giving it great electoral advantage in its regional and rural heartland.
Matt Foley, who served as attorney-general in the Goss government, was extremely close to the former premier and last saw him a week or so ago. He'd been in hospital until very recently, but was allowed to go home to die.
"He died at home surrounded by his family," Mr Foley told AAP.
Goss 'restored democracy in Queensland'
He said his friend's list of legacies was long, but sweeping away the gerrymander was perhaps chief among them.
"He restored democracy in Queensland. He gave the state a fair electoral system so that ordinary Queenslanders had a real right to a fair vote and to change the government of the day," he said.
Mr Goss will also be remembered for transforming the arts in Queensland.
"He had a heart bigger than Phar Lap for the arts and he was passionate about ensuring kids could have access to the arts and to music whether they came from Inala, or Kowinyama," Mr Foley said.
Mr Goss, whose former chief-of-staff was Kevin Rudd, was premier until February 1996, when the Mundingburra by-election caused Labor to lose its majority and power on the floor of parliament.
He'd been preselected to run against maverick independent Pauline Hanson at the 1998 federal election but his first brain tumour ended that career option.
In his time in the top job, he changed Queensland in so many ways.
Former Labor minister Robert Schwarten, who was a backbencher in the Goss government, said he was in awe of the former premier's impact, including sweeping social reforms.
"Within a year it was no longer illegal to be a homosexual, he introduced laws to decriminalise prostitution, he brought in the first gun laws in Queensland," he told AAP.
"It was just an enormous list. But the thing he's least remembered for is that he got Queensland into the 20th century in terms of financial accountability."
Family mourns 'great man'
Mr Goss's wife Roisin, son Ryan and daughter Caitlin said they were mourning the loss of a great man.
"As a family we mourn the man we love; as Queenslanders we join with so many others in gratitude for everything Wayne did for our community and our state," they wrote.
"In Wayne's own words from 1996, 'Thank you, Queensland. You've been good to me. I hope I've left you a better place'."
A 'true leader'
Premier Campbell Newman described Mr Goss as a true leader and said a state funeral had been offered.
A minute's silence was held at Monday's cabinet meeting, after news of his death broke.
Mr Newman said he'd spoke to Mr Goss's wife Roisin to offer his condolences.
"Wayne was a true leader who guided his party and the state through a turbulent time in Queensland's history," the premier said in a statement.
He said Mr Goss achieved critical reforms in many areas, including social policy, electoral laws, and the reform of the police and public services.
"He did so with tenacity, determination and courage," Mr Newman said.
"Those attributes were also very much at the forefront as he battled cancer. I'm saddened he should have lost that fight at such a young age."
The Queensland government has offered to hold a state funeral for Mr Goss.
