Gough Whitlam lauded as visionary and 'giant' by senior politicians as federal MPs pay tribute to former Labor prime minister

Gough Whitlam has been lauded as a visionary and a "giant" by senior politicians from both major parties, as federal MPs devote the sitting day to paying tribute to the former Labor prime minister.

Mr Whitlam died this morning at the age of 98.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, whose party is mourning its revered elder, told Parliament that "one of Australia's greatest sons" had been lost.

"I believe that perhaps there will be more tears shed for Gough Whitlam today than any other leader in Australian political history," Mr Shorten said.

"Gough's light shines before him and the memory of his good works will live long in the heart of our nation."

The Labor leader said Gough Whitlam "redefined" Australia like no other politician before or since.

"Gough's ambition went beyond his desire to serve our nation - he wanted to transform it, completely, permanently - and he did."

Mr Shorten said the Whitlam government should be measured by its achievements - from the introduction of universal healthcare and a free university education, to the abolition of the death penalty and conscription.

"Whitlam defined patriotism as seeing things that were wrong about Australia and trying to change them," he said.

"Everywhere we look in our remarkable modern country, we see the hand and work of Whitlam."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament the three years of Gough Whitlam's government changed Australia and "set the tone" for the years to follow.

"Whether you were for him or against him, it was his vision that drove our politics then and which still echoes through our public life four decades on," he said.

"Support it or oppose it, there was a largeness of purpose to all his government attempted."

Mr Abbott described Mr Whitlam's leadership as transformative.

"Gough Whitlam is gone, but not forgotten," he said.

"His was a life full of purpose - proof, if proof were needed, that individuals do matter and can make a lasting difference to the country they love.

"We all have much to learn from the giants of those times."

In a mark of respect, the Government has suspended the normal business of parliament and Senate estimates committee hearings today.

At the direction of the Prime Minister, the flag of Parliament House is also at half-mast.