Receiving plaudits from five former prime ministers says something about the value of James Wolfensohn, who has died aged 86.

Jim Wolfensohn was a huge personality who carried the flag of Australia in the United States for half a century, former prime minister Paul Keating said.
He was Australias unofficial ambassador at the court of the American Congress and the White House, forever ready to promote Australias interests when asked. Few Australians have had such an impact and presence in the United States.
Former NSW chief justice James Spigelman, who was a close personal friend, said Mr Wolfensohn had to be considered one of Australia’s greatest exports.
James was an extraordinary Australian and was possibly second only to Rupert Murdoch in terms of international success in business, Justice Spigelman said.
James was always very generous with his contact book. When I was chief justice he said to me, I have a friend coming out from the United States. Can you look after her? Her name is Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Rupert Murdoch and James D. Wolfensohn in 1998. 
Wolfensohn’s network was something to behold; from Kerry Packer to Bill Clinton and former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, who became his business partner at JD Wolfensohn and Co. He roomed at Harvard with Rod Carnegie, who brought McKinsey to Australia.
Malcolm Turnbull, a long-time friend who Wolfensohn asked to his US ranch when he lost the prime ministership in 2018, said he learned key lessons in investment banking and politics from him.
I remember one funny moment when he was advising Kerry Packer, Mr Turnbull said. Packer was fulminating against one of his enemies and Jim said, Kerry, remember revenge is a dish best served cold; Packer thought for a moment and replied Yes Jim, but it’s better eaten hot than not at all.
I also remember he taught me a great lesson in investment banking when you go into a meeting to establish a relationship with the chief executive don’t go in there with presentations and piles of pitch books, just go in there with one idea something you’ve just seen in the newspaper or something you heard about their competitor, just something to establish rapport.
Wolfensohn served as World Bank president from 1995 to 2005. Australia’s prime minister for most of that time, John Howard, said: Jim Wolfensohn was an extremely talented Australian who made his mark in the crowded and competitive American financial and philanthropic communities.
Jim Wolfensohn never lost touch of his Australian roots, frequently returning to his birthplace over the years.
Former Treasury secretary and NAB chairman Ken Henry said Wolfensohn’s influence was extensive.
… He has had a big impact on just about everybody in economic policy roles all over the world. James was a man of great wisdom and compassion, driven by a deep interest in, and concern for, humanity and a will to see us secure a sustainable future on this planet, Mr Henry said.
Wolfensohn will be remembered for his philanthropic work, especially the rebuilding of Carnegie Hall, where he gave his own cello performance. In 2017 he was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd knew Wolfensohn for 25 years.
“Jim was an eminent Australian, known across America and around the world, he said. His activism in the World Bank while president of that institution for a decade was critical in the global campaign against poverty well before the UN’s adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals a decade later.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Wolfensohn was a great international civil servant who will be truly missed.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott described him as a fine man, while Australias ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said he was a visionary and a leading advocate for global poverty reduction.
His lifes work will resonate across the globe for decades to come, Mr Sinodinos said.