Political figures have paid tribute to Yunupingu after the death of the lifelong advocate for justice.

In a joint statement from Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, NT Senator and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy and Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour, the political leaders said: "Australia has lost a giant."

"A pioneer of the Aboriginal land rights movement, including the landmark Gove Land Rights case and the Yirrkala Bark Petitions, in 1978 Yunupingu was named Australian of the Year," they said.

"Yunupingu served as the Chair of the Northern Land Council for 23 years. He worked with more than 10 Prime Ministers of Australia on the struggle for Indigenous recognition, and lived through the many disappointments.

"Yunupingu hosted Prime Minister Albanese at Garma last year when the government committed to holding a referendum on constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament."

They also acknowledged his work as a member of the Referendum Working Group and as part of the Indigenous Voice co-design Advisory Group set up by former Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt.

"His gifts to us as a nation was a life of truth-telling and a passionate belief in his people and in Australia, and we as a nation can gift to him a successful referendum later this year.

"In his final months Yunupingu reminded us: "the future is our responsibility", and that we all have a responsibility to show leadership on: reconciliation, recognition, and the referendum."

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she, on behalf of the Northern Territory Government, acknowledged the passing of Yunupingu "with deep sadness".

"A Gumatj man, Yunupingu was a senior Yolngu elder who will be remembered as an incomparable leader for his people and, more widely, a mentor and role model for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike," she said.

"Yunupingu was instrumental in the struggle for Land Rights and self-determination for Aboriginal people. His advocacy tangibly changed lives for the better.

"Working alongside his father, Gumatj clan leader Mungurrawuy, Yunupingu created the first traditional Aboriginal documents recognised by the Australian Commonwealth Parliament – the Yirrkala Bark Petitions."

Ms Fyles noted Yunupingu's important role as court interpreter in the landmark Gove land rights case thrust him on to the national stage.

"Though unsuccessful, it was the first legal action of its kind by Indigenous Australians to challenge mining companies rights to access Aboriginal land," she said.

"Yunupingu served on the Yirrkala Town Council and joined the Northern Land Council in 1975. His leadership and advocacy resulted in the return of all Aboriginal Reserves and most claimed areas in the Top End of the Northern Territory to Aboriginal ownership, and he played a key role in negotiations surrounding the Ranger Uranium Mine Agreement.

"In 2008, Yunupingu led the presentation of another petition to the Australian Parliament - this time to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd asking for formal recognition of the rights of Aboriginal people through constitutional reform.

"And in 2019 he was announced as one of 20 members of a Senior Advisory Group tasked with the co-design of The Voice to Parliament."

The Chief Minister said Yunupingu was a visionary who cared deeply for people and our home here in the Northern Territory.

"He believed in a better future, and he worked tirelessly to create one. His legacy will never be bested and it is my hope it continues for generations to come."

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Yunupingu was "a remarkable man: strong, deep and practical".

"He wanted the best for his people, obviously. But he also wanted the best for Australia. His lifelong, it seems to me, expressed in a 1970s speech to the National Press Club, was for all Australians to "live together in a new way, with real equality at last"," Mr Abbott said.

"As he said, he was a "hard marker" when it came to politicians, including PMs. I'm sure he appreciated Anthony Albanese's commitment, not just talking about constitutional recognition, but to getting it done."

Federal Liberal spokesperson for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser, said it was "a sad day for Australians and particularly, Indigenous Australians".

"The Gumatj leader, Yunupingu, was one of the great Indigenous leaders modern Australia has produced," he said.

"Yunupingu was a great moral voice to our country. He was a man of strength, conviction and determination. For his entire life Yunupingu fought for the rights of his people and more broadly, for Aboriginal people across Australia."

Mr Leeser noted that Yunupingu's influence "will be felt for decades to come".

"May the memory of Yunupingu be a blessing."