Former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock has died at the age of 82 in the United States.
Mr Peacock served as foreign minister from 1975 to 1980 under Malcolm Fraser and as leader of the Liberal party he was defeated by Bob Hawke in the 1984 and 1990 elections.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement on Friday night that "Andrew Peacock was a great Australian and a treasure of the Liberal Party".
"He was one of our greatest Liberals who helped shape Australia and the Liberal Party over three decades.
"To his wife Penne and his family, Jenny and I extend the sympathies of the Government and the Liberal Party," Mr Morrison said.
Mr Peacock's daughter Ann Peacock said on social media she was devastated.
"To my beautiful, loving, most caring, thoughtful, generous and brilliant father, you will be so greatly missed, your guidance and deep love for us will live in my heart, we are absolutely devastated.
"Daddy, love you more than the world, please continue to look after us all. You will live within us forever and ever."
Former Victorian premier jeff Kennett tweeted that he and Mr Peacock "shared a long friendship of political highs and lows".
"He was a very successful foreign minister," Mr Kennet said.
Mr Peacock, the member for Kooyong and known as the "colt from Kooyong", served in parliament for over 28 years, was a minister in the Gorton, McMahon and Fraser governments and led the Liberal Party to two elections.
He later served as Australia's Ambassador to the United States.
Mr Morrison said Mr Peacock had the difficult job of being minister for the Army during the Vietnam War.
He was also minister for External Territories and was instrumental in gaining Australian acceptance for independence for Papua New Guinea, whose government later made him an honorary chief.
Australian Associated Press
