Both sides of politics temporarily ceased hostilities for a full day of condolences for the former Labor Prime Minister, who died recently.

Ms Ley, in her newly minted role of environment minister following the recent election, paid tribute to Mr Hawke's efforts on his accomplishments big and small when the country's leader.

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On his watch, Australia added to or extended the boundaries of six World Heritage List properties including the Daintree wet tropics in Queensland and Uluru national park, but the protection of the Franklin River and the Tasmanian Wilderness Heritage was a "defining moment in Australia", according to Ms Ley.

"The debate about the Franklin was about more than the traditional Left versus Right political ground game," she said.

"It captured something bigger, something outside ourselves.

"It raised our consciousness of the natural world and demanded that we listen.

"As a young person whose family could see the good from both sides of politics, I certainly was part of the crowd singing 'Let the Franklin Flow' as loudly as anyone when Goanna belted out their 1983 signature anthem at Canberra's live music venues.

"I was far from alone, and so many other Australians can today trace their first active support for the environment back to this moment and this cause."

Ms Ley said this week the World Heritage Committee would meet in Azerbaijan to consider a historic listing of the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape of south-western Victoria and she hoped it would be the first time an Australian site is awarded World Heritage listing for its Indigenous cultural value, recognising 6000 years of management by the Gunditjamara people.

"Six traditional owners will be in Azerbaijan for the UNESCO meeting, and Bob Hawke would have been the first to give them a cheer," she said.

She said Mr Hawke' also had the ability to influence world leaders that would see a permanent ban on mining in Antarctica.

Ms Ley also paid tribute to the start-up of Landcare which also took place when he was Prime Minister from 1983 to 1991.

"This involves everyday Australians and landholders working with government to protect our biodiversity and natural resources," she said.

"It is a vibrant and important part of so many rural communities.

"One that encourages sustainable agriculture, and it remains a cornerstone of our environmental policy."