Australia pays tribute to Gorbachev

Mr Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, forged arms reduction deals with the United States and partnerships with other countries to remove the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War II and triggered the reunification of Germany.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers paid tribute to the former Soviet leader, calling him a pivotal figure at a defining moment. 

"When the world saw conflict and stalemate, he saw peace and possibility," Dr Chalmers told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"He was the epitome of courage and vision, and he was a reminder that it takes more courage to end a war than to start one." 

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Mr Gorbachev would be remembered as a key architect of making the world a safer place. 

"For those of us who lived through that period, it was a time of enormous anxiety where there was a sense of existential threat across the world," he told ABC radio on Wednesday. 

"(Gorbachev's) dialogue with (former US president) Ronald Reagan really brought an end to that. He will be forever remembered as a key architect and the world is a much safer place as a result."

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Mr Gorbachev's life and death highlighted the stark difference in current Russian leadership under President Vladimir Putin. 

"Whilst it's slipped from the headlines, we should remind ourselves every day that these attacks (on Ukraine) are still taking place ... and unfortunately the lessons of the '80s have been lost on President Putin," he told ABC News.

"I hope that we can return to a more sensible age (but) that doesn't seem possible at the moment, which is a tragedy."

Former prime minister Paul Keating said Mr Gorbachev's historic move towards a more open, consultative government was crucial. 

"The generosity of spirit about him and his genuineness ... he was able to communicate with people, induce trust and get commitments," he told ABC Melbourne radio.

with Reuters