Former Victorian government minister Lynne Kosky was a great contributor to Victoria who had a warm heart and a steely resolve.
She died on Thursday at her Williamstown home after a long battle with breast cancer.
Tributes have flowed for Ms Kosky who served as a senior minister in both the Bracks and Brumby Labor governments.
Former premier Steve Bracks said she was a good minister who was loyal to her friends.
"I remember her as a great person, a great contributor to public life in Victoria, and a very competent and able leader of the state, in particularly the portfolios she held during her term of office," he told AAP on Thursday.
"She had a great personality, warm and engaging but behind that was a steely resolve to make sure we achieved effectively and well."
Ms Kosky held the lower house seat of Altona from 1996 until her resignation in 2010, and held the finance, education, public transport and arts portfolios.
She was later an adviser to the Victoria University Vice Chancellor among other roles.
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten said she was also a supporter of breast cancer awareness.
"She was a tireless champion for everyday Victorians, and her loss will be felt by all who knew her," he said.
"We sincerely thank Lynne for dedicating herself to raising awareness of breast cancer throughout her illness - a true testament to her strength of character, her sense of public service and her generosity to others."
In a statement, new Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said he took comfort in the fact she held on to see Labor's historic win in the state election.
"I say that humbly because I know that the Labor party was such a big and important part of Lynne's life," he said.
"Lynne was someone who made a very special contribution to our state.
"May all those who feel the pain of her passing be comforted in the knowledge that she did such great work and was such a great person.
State opposition leader Matthew Guy also honoured her political career.
"Lynne made an enormous contribution to Victoria, and an enormous contribution both as finance minister and transport minister," he said.
Ms Kosky is survived by her husband Jim Williamson, her daughter Hana and son Jackson.
Share
