Mr Mack is credited as a trailblazer in the grassroots sphere of independent politics, and whose career helped carve a path for the next generation of independents, including the likes of Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott, Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan. Tributes poured in as news of his passing echoed through political circles on Tuesday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised him as a "a dedicated and respected servant of his community at all levels of government who cared deeply about his city and his country." Mr Windsor, a former independent state and federal MP, said Mr Mack was “an example to anyone contemplating public service” and a model independent. Former federal treasurer Joe Hockey, who succeeded him in the federal seat of North Sydney, said he was a "decent an honourable man" who redefined politics on Sydney's lower north shore.

Edward Carrington Mack was born in Sydney on December 20, 1933. After graduating as an architect from the University of NSW in 1958, he married Wendy, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. But his foray into politics came much later, when he was galvanised into action in the 1970s after North Sydney Council approved a 17-storey office block near his home.

Ted Mack outside Sydney's Luna Park in 1983. Credit:Paul Matthews He ran for the council in 1974, and was re-elected for four consecutive terms, and served eight years as mayor. “If North Sydney council hadn’t annoyed me, I doubt if I would ever have become involved in politics at all,” Mack said in 1997. “I didn’t have any burning desire to change the world – just a few simple principles like the workings of government should be totally open to public scrutiny.” As mayor, he championed open government principles and implemented policies requiring all council meetings, committees and council files be open to the public.

In 1981, Mr Mack became a giant-slayer when he took on Bruce McDonald, the leader of the state Liberal opposition, in the then newly-created state seat of North Shore. The electorate was considered blue ribbon heartland, but Mr Mack won off the back of Labor preferences. He was re-elected in 1984 and 1988. Ted Mack retired from Federal Parliament in 1996. Credit:Fairfax Media After abruptly retiring from state politics not long after his 1988 win, Mr Mack soon turned his gaze to Canberra. Once again he conquered the Liberals on their home turf, defeating incumbent John Spender, who was opposition foreign minister, for the seat of North Sydney at the 1990 election.

As a federal MP, he opposed unilateral tariff removal, Sydney airport’s third runway, privatisations and voted against Australian involvement in the first Gulf War. He retired from Federal Parliament at the 1996 election. During his service across three spheres of government, Mr Mack maintained a principled stand against what he saw as political excess. He timed his retirement from both state politics and federal politics so that he would not qualify for the generous parliamentary pensions that were then available to members. His decision to quit state politics just two days before he was eligible for the pension scheme saw him forgo over $1,000,000 in entitlements. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

As mayor, he famously sold the mayoral Mercedes-Benz, and used the profits to help buy community buses. He used his own 1951 Citroen as the mayoral car for the next eight years at no cost to the ratepayers. He also declined to accept a mayoral allowance while serving simultaneously on the council and as the local member. North Sydney Council mayor Jilly Gibson paid tribute to Mr Mack's legacy on the lower north shore. “Ted Mack holds legendary status here on the lower north shore, as a man of strong conviction and a pioneer of open government and community engagement," Cr Gibson said.

“He created Civic Park, refurbished North Sydney Oval, cemented precinct committees and community consultation into Council decision-making processes, and pursued alternative streams of income to make Council less reliant on rate income." City of Sydney mayor Clover Moore, who was endorsed by Mr Mack when she successfully contested the state seat of Bligh as an independent in 1988, described him as a "mentor". "Ted Mack always put the public interest, and public accountability and the community and democracy first,” Cr Moore said. A public memorial service will be held in Sydney later this month. -with AAP