Retired Major General and Liberal Senator Jim Molan has died at the age of 72, following a rapid decline in health.

“With profound sadness, we share that following a sudden and rapid decline in health after Christmas. Jim died peacefully on January 16 in the arms of his family,” a statement said.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2021.

“He was many things: a soldier, a pilot, an author, a volunteer firefighter and a senator,” the statement continued.

“Most of all, he was an adored husband, father, grandfather and brother.

“Our loss is immeasurable but we are confident in our memories of a full life courageously lived, devoted to family and in service of the country that he loved.

“We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for respecting our privacy at this difficult time.”

Ray Hadley paid tribute to the former major general, describing him as “a fair dinkum good bloke”.

“Without a doubt, we have lost a great Australian,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Ray Hadley’s tribute in full 

The Liberal Party will select someone to fill his place in the Senate for the remainder of his term.

Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton later joined Ray Hadley and spoke of the former major general’s good nature.

“He was a real gentleman,” Peter Dutton later told Ray Hadley. “He just oozed that decency.

“I think people naturally gravitated to him and felt that he gave them a fair hearing.

“On top of the fact that he had a genuine interest in people and what they were saying, I think his mind was just so big.”

Press PLAY below to hear his comments in full

Jim Molan lived his life in service of our country. He was a man of principle and a politician of conviction. My condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and friends.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 16, 2023

Image: Michael Masters/Getty Images