Former world leaders have paid tribute to Bob Hawke, lauding his vision, intellect and humour.
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Australia's former prime minister died peacefully aged 89 at his Sydney home on Thursday.
Bill Clinton tweeted that, even though he never had the chance to serve with Hawke, he always liked and admired him.
"I always liked and admired Bob Hawke for his progressive record and great sense of humour. My thoughts are with his family and the people of Australia," the former US president wrote.
James A. Baker, who served as US Secretary of State during Hawke's tenure as Australian prime minister, recognised Hawke's leadership on the world stage.
"Bob Hawke was a visionary and strong-willed Australian prime minister who understood the power of free markets and the paradigm that countries have less conflict when they trade with one another," Baker told The Australian Financial Review in a statement.
"He was a staunch ally of the United States. Australia, and indeed the world, are better places because of Bob Hawke's many contributions to them."
Former British prime minister Tony Blair said he had learned a lot from Hawke.
"Sharp, with a marvellous strategic political mind, and concealing a first class intellect behind that friendly and 'good bloke' exterior, he was wonderful and warm company," Blair said in a statement.
"(He) combined strong economies with high levels of social justice and investment in the most disadvantaged sections of society.
"From the first time I met him back in 1982, (he was) always willing to reach out and help younger politicians. A true model for so many of us. He will be greatly missed."
Canadian former prime minister Brian Mulroney described Hawke as "a genuinely artful politician and leader" and said US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H W Bush had both spoken "very highly of Bob Hawke".
"He was viewed as an Australian who had brought with him the credentials of having transformed his country's economy along with (treasurer) Paul Keating and he was very much admired and listened to because of that," Mulroney told The Australian Financial Review.
And current New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also paid tribute.
"I never had a chance to meet Bob, but it was easy to feel like you knew him. He was such a charismatic figure and one clearly driven by his love of people. Rest In Peace, Bob," she tweeted.
Australian Associated Press
