Former Fraser government health minister Jim Carlton AO has died aged 80.

Mr Carlton was general secretary of the Liberal Party’s New South Wales division before he was elected to the House of Representatives and became the Member for Mackellar in 1977 – a seat he held until his retirement in 1994.

He served as minister for health in the Fraser government from May 1982 to March 1983, and held several shadow ministry positions in opposition.

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Mr Carlton was influential at a turning point in Australia’s political history.

“He was a good political mentor to many people, including me, and he remained a source of good advice and encouragement for all his life,” Mr Turnbull said in a statement.

Following his retirement from politics, Mr Carlton served as secretary-general of the Australian Red Cross from 1994 to 2000.

Mr Carlton was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2001, and was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal in 2003.

“Jim will be remembered for his valuable contribution to policy and public debate in Australia, in politics, in parliament and in academia,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Most importantly, he will be remembered by those right across the political spectrum as a thoroughly decent, warm-hearted and generous person.”

State memorial service arrangements are currently underway.