Wayne Goss was a true statesman whose place in Queensland's history is assured, Premier Campbell Newman says.
Mr Newman led a condolence motion for Goss in parliament on Tuesday, two weeks after the former premier died of brain cancer aged 63.
Goss led Labor into government after 32 years of Liberal National Party rule in what was a turbulent time, Mr Newman said.
"Wayne was a true leader who guided Queensland through turbulent times," he told parliament.
"Not only upon taking office in 1989 but upon leaving office in 1996.
"He was a true statesman."
The premier said Goss drove much-needed reform in many aspects of state's public life, including social policy, electoral laws, the police service and the broader public service.
"He did so with tenacity, determination and courage," Mr Newman said.
"Wayne's place in Queensland's history is assured. His contribution will never be forgotten.
"Wayne did leave Queensland a better place."
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk told parliament Mr Goss had been a personal inspiration to her.
"The idea of a young boy growing up in Inala, going to local state primary and high schools and later studying and practising law then sitting in state parliament and leading our state holds lessons for all Queenslanders," she said.
She said his outlook was always one of self-reliance and hard work, and he recognised when people needed a helping hand.
She remembered how as opposition leader, and later as premier, Mr Goss was a master of the parliament.
"Just as a maestro conducts an orchestra, Wayne conducted this parliament," she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Goss also had taken time to meet with her after Labor's shattering defeat at the 2012 election to discuss the way forward.
"As always, his mind was on the future and was not dwelling on the past," she said.
"As always he had very clear ideas and expressed them simply and directly.
"As always he wanted to help others and sought no recognition or return for himself."
She the governments he led changed Queensland forever, and for the better.
"Current and future generations of Queenslanders will reap the rewards.
"As we all walk the halls of Parliament House let us remember those who walked them before us.
"Let us remember those like Wayne Goss who gave us hope, opportunity, and inspiration; who returned sunshine to the moonlight state and built a modern and confident Queensland."
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said it had been a great privilege to serve in parliament at the same time as Mr Goss.
"Witnessing Wayne Goss galvanised in my mind that not all the good players are on your team," Mr Springborg told parliament.
"To know Wayne Goss was to respect him."
He said Mr Goss's enthusiastic first-term government and a diminished opposition jousting it out was fascinating and invigorating to watch.
Mr Springborg said he could not recall a single occasion during Mr Goss's time in parliament when a matter of misconduct or lack of probity was levelled against him.
"He was a cleanskin when he came into this place and he was a cleanskin when he left this place," he said.
Government MP Vaughan Johnson did not agree with Mr Goss, but said the former premier was always decisive and stood for what he believed in.
"It was very informative and a very fruitful part of my life to witness men of the calibre of Wayne Goss," he said.
Opposition transport spokeswoman Jackie Trad was very young when Mr Goss came to power, but she said she admired his fight against discrimination and his drive for reform.
"Wayne did not take a step backwards after his 1989 election victory in delivering anti-discrimination and equal-opportunity laws," she said.
