Tributes to minister, regional uni founder

Former Fraser government minister Wal Fife has died, aged 88.

Mr Fife, who represented the Wagga area of southern NSW in both state and federal parliaments, has been remembered fondly by former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer.

His greatest legacy was the establishment of Charles Sturt University in 1989, he said.

"It was Wal's strategic approach with the Dr Cliff Blake (the university's first vice-chancellor) that made the difference," Mr Fischer told AAP on Friday.

CSU is now Australia's largest regional university - with campuses at Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Dubbo amongst others - and a leading provider of distance education.

"Wal's family can be very proud of that legacy," Mr Fischer said.