Howard government minister Jocelyn Newman loses Alzheimer's battle

Former Howard government minister Jocelyn Newman - one half of a legendary Liberal power couple and mother of former Queensland premier Campbell Newman - has died following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Described by her family as a "true feminist", Mrs Newman died peacefully at Berry on the NSW south coast on Sunday morning, aged 80.

Born Jocelyn Mullett in Melbourne in 1937, the tough-talking lawyer entered federal parliament in 1986 - beating out 12 men to win preselection - and served in the Senate for 16 years.

Former Howard government minister Jocelyn Newman has died after a long battle with illness.

In her first speech to parliament she railed against the "burden of taxation" and "government interference" in people's lives.

She was appointed a minister in the first term of the Howard government, serving in the social services and community services portfolios between 1996 and 2001. She managed to fight off uterine and breast cancer during her time in office.

During her years in parliament, Mrs Newman developed a reputation for being cool, calm and competent. When she left, she was touted as a possible future governor-general.

She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2005 and said at the time her best achievement was her 38-year marriage to Kevin.

Mr Newman served in the army - and saw combat in Vietnam - before entering politics and serving as a minister in Malcolm Fraser's government. He retired from politics suffering ill-health in 1984 and died in 1999.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said they were a "formidable" couple and Mrs Newman was an "indefatigable advocate for lower taxation and greater individual freedom".

"Her contribution to the Senate, to Tasmania, to the Liberal Party and to Australia was, by all measures, considerable and enduring," Mr Turnbull said.

Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz said he was saddened by the death of Mrs Newman, who he described as "one of the great female trailblazers in our democracy".

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman.Credit: Harrison Saragossi

"The Newman team of Jocelyn and Kevin was legendary in their contribution for Tasmania and between both of them served in the federal parliament for a quarter of the century," he said.

"Jocelyn was an army wife, a mother, a women’s shelter pioneer, a farmer, a tourism operator, a senator and a cabinet minister. She was renowned for her strength, resilience, vision and energy - along with a sense of humour."

Mrs Newman is survived by son Campbell, daughter Kate and four grand-daughters: Rebecca, Sarah, Emma and Samantha.

There will be a memorial service in Canberra later this month.