Qld premier offers state funeral for Wayne Goss
The Queensland Premier has offered to hold a state funeral for Wayne Goss, who died on Monday aged 63.
State and federal politicians have paid tribute to the former Queensland premier, who served between 1989 and 1996.
Mr Goss had been battling a long illness and had undergone recent surgery to treat brain tumours.
His family confirmed he died at home in the early hours of Monday morning.
In a joint statement his wife Roisin and two children Ryan and Caitlin said: "As a family we mourn the man we love; as Queenslanders we join with so many others in gratitude for everything Wayne did for our community and our state."
'In Wayne's own words from 1996,"Thank you, Queensland. You've been good to me. I hope I've left you a better place."'
In 1989, he became the first Labor premier in Queensland in 32 years, ending the reign of the National Party.
Mr Goss led an era of reform in Queensland, widely credited with guiding the state into the modern era.
Campbell Newman said he was saddened by the news.
"Wayne was a true leader who guided his party and the State through a turbulent time in Queensland's history.
"He drove much-needed reform in many aspects of Queensland's public life, including social policy, electoral laws and reform of the police service and broader public service," Mr Newman said.
A minute's silence was held during Monday's cabinet meeting after politicians learned of his death.
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten also expressed his condolences.
"Today is a very sad day for the Labor Party - it's an especially sad day for Labor in Queensland," he said.
Current Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk honoured Mr Goss as one of Queensland's greatest premiers.
'Like all Queenslanders I am deeply saddened to hear news of the death of Wayne Goss,' she said.
'He led a government that changed forever the face of our state and the expectations of Queenslanders,' Ms Palaszczuk said.
Mr Goss lost power in 1996, when the Mundingburra by-election caused Labor to lose its majority and power on the floor of parliament.
Several years later, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
He underwent his fourth surgery in 17 years in April this year.
Mr Goss was born in the Queensland town of Mundubbera in 1951.
He studied law at the University of Queensland and went on to work as a solicitor with the then Aboriginal Legal Service, before he established his own practice and eventually entered state politics.
The family are yet to confirm details for a memorial service.
