PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON:

"In his day, John was not your typical Liberal - a Catholic, rugby league player and smoker from South West Sydney. As a Liberal he broadened our outlook and connected us with an ever widening aspirational population."

FORMER NSW PREMIER NICK GREINER:

"(He was) a very authentic, very humble guy who was a terrific leader, because he was able to get on with everyone."

FORMER PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL:

"Farewell John Fahey and thank you for your service to Australia and NSW. He was a true liberal."

FORMER PRIME MINISTER JOHN HOWARD:

"John Fahey gave so much to public life: Premier of NSW for three years, five years as Minister for Finance in the Howard government and, in his final years, as Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University. He was a close and valued colleague of mine."

AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT JOHN COATES:

"John will always be a big part of the Sydney 2000 success story, and as we prepare to celebrate 20 years since those Games began, it is very sad to think he cannot mark that milestone with us."

GREG BARNS, CHIEF OF STAFF TO FAHEY 1996 - 1999:

"John will be remembered very fondly by Australians because of his decency, and because he was very successful in his political life and achieved much for many people."

EX-LIBERAL MP AND FORMER US AMBASSADOR JOE HOCKEY:

"It was my honour to work for, and with, John Fahey. His passing creates a hole in the hearts of our state and our nation."

HOWARD GOVERNMENT MINISTERIAL STAFFER AND US AMBASSADOR ARTHUR SINODINOS:

"Vale John Fahey - political leader, sportsman and anti-drug campaigner, but also a dedicated husband and father who endured illness and family tragedy with fortitude and relentless optimism could tell a good yarn, too."

NSW LIBERAL PARTY PRESIDENT AND HOWARD GOVERNMENT MINISTER PHILLIP RUDDOCK:

"Having served with John in federal parliament, I knew him to be one of the most humble and honourable people who ever served our state and nation."

NSW PREMIER GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN:

"History will also remember him as a brave man, for his quick-thinking and selfless action to protect Prince Charles from an attack on Australia Day in 1994."

NSW OPPOSITION LEADER JODI MCKAY:

"John Fahey will be remembered as a person who always acted with the highest integrity throughout his nearly two decades in public life serving in both the NSW and federal parliaments."

FEDERAL OPPOSITION LEADER ANTHONY ALBANESE:

"He was someone who dealt with you with respect, even though you were someone on the opposite side of politics. I don't think he had an enemy in the national parliament, and that says a lot about his character."

Australian Associated Press