'One of a kind' former senator, Catholic priest Michael Tate dies aged 80

Michael Tate made the move from politics to the priesthood. (ABC News: Loretta Lohberger)

Former Tasmanian senator and Catholic priest Michael Tate is being remembered as a compassionate and generous man.

The South Hobart parish priest died in Hobart yesterday aged 80.

His friend and colleague Fr Mike Delaney said Fr Tate was loved.

"[He was] the real sign of a priest — someone who gives himself to his people," Fr Delaney said.

"Just recently he rang me and asked me whether I could follow up with somebody who he'd been seeing but they'd moved into my parish … he didn't want them to got lost in the system.

"He'd cut to the point, but he also had an incredible compassion for his people."

Michael Tate was parish priest at South Hobart. (ABC News: Jake Grant)

Tasmania's Archbishop Tony Ireland administered the last rites to Fr Tate not long before he died in hospital.

Archbishop Tony Ireland says Michael Tate was "one of a kind". (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

Federal Labor minister Julie Collins said Fr Tate was "a devoted member of the Labor Party" who "leaves behind a legacy of integrity, faith, and service to others".

Fr Tate was born in Sydney and educated at St Virgil's College in Hobart.

He studied law at the University of Tasmania, graduating with first class honours in 1968.

He went on to obtain a master's degree in theology from the University of Oxford in 1971.

In 1972 he started lecturing in constitutional law at the University of Tasmania, and was appointed dean of the law faculty in 1977.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Fr Tate "had the ability to see beyond divisions and to find common ground".

"I always enjoyed and appreciated Fr Tate's company and guidance over the years.

Michael Tate is being remembered for his compassion. (ABC News: Jake Grant)

Fr Tate's opposition to the Vietnam war, especially the government's conscription policy, led him to join the Labor Party.

He was elected to the Senate in 1977, representing Tasmania, and was justice minister in the Hawke and Keating governments from 1987 to 1993.

In 1983 he introduced a private senator's bill to amend the National Service Act to allow for conscientious objection to participation in particular military conflicts. While this bill was stalled, he continued to push for legislative change.

In 1992 the Keating government's Defence Legislation Amendment Bill, which included provision for particular conscientious beliefs, passed through parliament.

The following year, after he was dropped from the ministry, Fr Tate left politics.

In 1994 he was appointed as Aust