Keppel Earl Enderby was born in Dubbo in 1926.

He attended Dubbo Primary and High schools before moving to Sydney with his family at 17.

Mr Enderby was Attorney-General in Gough Whitlam's government, was one of the founders of the NSW Council of Civil Liberties and an amateur golfer.

Acting Opposition Leader Tony Burke said his deepest sympathies went to Mr Enderby's family.

"His life will be remembered as one of dedicated and constant use to a people of Australia," Mr Bourke said.

"Kep held a number of portfolios including Attorney-General during the Whitlam government and our deepest sympathies and condolences go to his family.

"He had many great achievements in his roles within the Labor Party."

"As a member of a House of Representatives, Kep served with distinction," he said.

Mr Enderby studied law at the University of Sydney. After graduating in 1949 he worked in London for four years before returning to Australia.

He worked in human rights and as a senior lecturer at the Australian National University.

In March 1970 Mr Enderby was elected to Parliament as the local member for the ACT, where he held a variety of roles including Minister for the Northern Territory and Minister for Police and Customs.

Under Gough Whitlam in 1975, he became Attorney-General until the government was dismissed.

After losing his seat in the same year, Mr Enderby returned to law and in 1982 was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court, remaining as a judge until his retirement in 1982.

Mr Enderby was also a trainee pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1944-45 and continued flying until the late stages of life.

He was president of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NSW, the World Esperanto Association and the NSW Council of Civil Liberties.

Mr Enderby is survived by his wife Dorothy, his son Keir and his daughter Jo.