Former Whitlam government minister Al Grassby has died in a Canberra hospital.
Mr Grassby, 78, born in Queensland in 1926, was best known for ushering in multiculturalism in Australia and burying the White Australia policy when he was immigration minister.
A colourful character, often seen in bright and flashy ties, Mr Grassby entered federal parliament in 1969 as the member for the NSW seat of Riverina.
He lost the seat to the Country Party by 792 votes in the 1974 election amid accusations a racist campaign had been launched against him.
Acting Labor leader Jenny Macklin said Mr Grassby made a significant impact on the country.
"It's a very sad time for the Labor Party to hear of Al Grassby's passing," she told Sydney radio 2UE.
"He was a larger than life character and, even though he was only in federal parliament a short time, he had a very significant impact on Australia."
