Reagan greatest post-WWII president: PM
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A hearse carrying the casket and body of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan leaves his home in Bel Air, California. Photo: Reuters
Australian politicians cast aside political differences today to pay tribute to former US president Ronald Reagan, who died overnight aged 93.
Mr Reagan's wife Nancy and their children were at his side when he passed away at the family's home in California.
Mr Reagan's body was transported by hearse from his Bel Air home to a Los Angeles-area mortuary handling arrangements. His body was expected to be taken to his presidential library and museum in Simi Valley, California, and then flown to Washington to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. His funeral was expected to be at the National Cathedral, an event likely to draw world leaders. The body was to be returned to California for a sunset burial at his library.
A popular Hollywood actor from the 1930s to the 1960s, Mr Reagan was president from 1981 to 1989 and oversaw the end of the Cold War.
Although they never met, Prime Minister John Howard described Mr Reagan as the greatest US president post World War II.
"Ronald Reagan, in my view, was the greatest of post World War II American presidents," Mr Howard said before departing London for France.
"His greatest legacy will be the end of Soviet communism."
Acting Prime Minister, John Anderson, also saw Mr Reagan's greatest achievement as overcoming the scourge of communism in Eastern Europe.
Former US president Harry Truman had created the framework for communism to be overthrown during the 1940s and Mr Reagan completed the mission, Mr Anderson said.
"They wrote Truman off as a little haberdasher from Missouri and they wrote Reagan off as a B-grade actor but in reality both have done a huge amount to lock in the freedoms ... [we] take for granted around the world," Mr Anderson told the Ten Network.
Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who was leader during the early part of Mr Reagan's presidency, said the former president had restored American pride after the troubles of the Vietnam War.
"He gave America back her pride after the end of the Vietnam War," Mr Fraser said.
"It wasn't until Ronald Reagan came along that America again felt proud."
Mr Fraser commended Mr Reagan's work on opening relations with the Soviet bloc and negotiations between the two powers in limiting their nuclear capabilities.
"I think Ronald Reagan fulfilled his tasks as president very, very well ... he was a great president for the times."
Opposition Leader Mark Latham paid tribute to Mr Reagan's achievements as a leader, broadcaster and actor.
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This file photo from January 1993 shows former US president Ronald Reagan after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington, DC. Photo: AFP
"It's sad to see the passing of a former American president. He was a president who answered his critics in many important respects," he said.
"He was a great communicator, he was someone who was very much loved by the American people and on a day like this we pay tribute to his achievements as president but also as a broadcaster and actor."
Mr Latham, who has been called anti-American by his critics, said it was a sad day for world politics.
"He was a great character in American politics and in world politics and it's a sad day for that reason," he said.
Opposition frontbencher Wayne Swan said the strong relationship between Mr Reagan and former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke highlighted a Labor government could have a workable relationship with a US leader.
US President George W Bush has criticised Labor's commitment to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq by Christmas, while Mr Latham once described the current American leader as incompetent and dangerous.
AAP