Former prime minister John Howard has led an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum for Tim Fischer, describing him as an "authentic Australian" and "quirky".
Political leaders on all sides have praised the former Nationals leader, well known for his passion for regional Australia and crucial support for gun law reform following the Port Arthur massacre.
Former Nationals leader Tim Fischer with leader Michael McCormack at the opening of a museum dedicated to his life in Lockhart, NSW. Source: AAP
"Tim had great passions. He was quirky. And his quirkiness endeared him to countless Australians across the political divide," Mr Howard told ABC's 7.30.
"He was somebody of whom most people I encountered spoke with great affection and great gratitude for the contribution he made to public life in our country."
Mr Howard praised his former deputy prime minister for convincing the Nationals, and regional Australia more broadly, that gun reform was necessary.
"Tim Fischer was very courageous at the time of the gun laws," he said.
"There were sections of the community, in the bush, that resented the fact that they as law-abiding users of guns had restrictions placed on them buzz of what they saw as the actions of a mad man.
"It was very hard for Tim and for John Anderson, his then deputy ... but to their enormous credit, they argued the case for the gun laws."
Tim Fischer in 2001. Source: AAP
In a statement, prime minister Scott Morrison said: "Tim Fischer was a big Australian in every sense of the word".
"Big in stature, big in his belief, big in his passion, big in his vision for what Australians could achieve and big in his view of Australia’s place in the world. As a result, Tim Fischer will forever cast a big shadow on our nation."
The prime minister, who is on his way to Vietnam, described Mr Fischer as a "dear friend", saying his courage in staring down angry rural constituents during the introduction of the tough new gun laws was his finest moment.
"Gun laws were not popular in regional Australia in 1996 and Tim Fischer took to the highways and byways to persuade and convince regional Australians about the need for change," Mr Howard said.
Nationals leader Michael McCormack called Mr Fischer "a mighty human being".
"Our nation mourns one of its finest ... He loved regional Australia. He was one of the great National Party leaders," Mr McCormack told reporters.
He also discussed Mr Fischer's vital role in gun reform.
"Of course, in some particular areas, that was not a popular thing to do, but Tim knew it was the right thing to do and working with John Howard he undertook the difficult process of gun law reform," he said.
"There are many people alive today because of Tim Fischer's courage and conviction."
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd was responsible for appointing Mr Fischer as Australia's "first and best" ambassador to the Vatican.
"I will never forget him in his beloved Akubra with me in an audience with the Pope. A good Australian," Mr Rudd said.
Former prime minister Julia Gillard called him "a good bloke, a character and a high-achiever."
Victorian MP Steph Ryan tweeted a "top 10 tips for surviving parliament" that Mr Fischer sent her when she entered parliament five years ago.
"He was a generous and caring man who was never afraid to fight for what he believed in," she tweeted.
One tip reads, "never attack a nearby town or suburb just outside your electorate, you never know when a redistribution might transfer some into your electorate".
"Select one policy area or subset of a portfolio/policy area for detailed study and knowledge build-up, it is a good discipline, it will add to your standing, and it avoids the trap of being an instant half-expert on all and a real expert on nothing," reads another.
Queensland Nationals MP Keith Pitt last spoke to Mr Fischer a few days ago.
"He was his usual pragmatic self. His passing is a great loss for his family, the Nationals and the nation," he said.
Tim Fischer was known for his love of trains. Source: AAP
Groups from around regional Australia have also paid tribute.
"There was no greater supporter of rural and remote Australians than Tim," the Rural Doctors Association of Australia said in a statement.
And National Farmers' Federation president Fiona Simson said, "there are few other people who as accurately typify what it means to be an Australian".
Additional reporting by AAP
