Gough Whitlam was an extraordinary leader who demonstrated great personal and political courage and left an indelible mark on Australia, former prime minister Kevin Rudd says.
Mr Rudd said history was littered with ordinary politicians but Mr Whitlam was an extraordinary leader and statesman who stood as an example to all.
"This great man has left an indelible mark on Australia. An indelible mark for the good. And Australia will always be the better for it," he said in a statement.
Mr Rudd said Mr Whitlam demonstrated his personal courage flying with the RAAF in the Pacific War, playing his part in the defence of Australia.
Mr Rudd said those who had sought to tarnish and diminish his legacies had failed because his profound reforms were sown deep in the hearts and minds of the Australian people.
"(My wife) Therese and I are profoundly saddened by Gough's death. We were honoured to have counted both Gough and, his partner for life, Margaret, as our friends," he said.
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