John Holloway, a former Australian ambassador who worked as a Cambodian government advisor for almost 20 years, died Tuesday at the age of 70 after a long battle with skin cancer and diabetes.

In June 1995, Victorian MP Ken Aldred claimed in Parliament that Holloway was a paedophile.

The then Secretary to of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michael Costello told Fran Kelly in a media interview that police had investigated and said there was no evidence to support the allegation.

Holloway was arrested in Cambodia and brought back to Australia to face charges, including for having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Holloway denied the charge. A magistrate dismissed child sex abuse charges against Holloway, calling the testimony of the chief witness "worthless".

He returned to Cambodia, remaining active as an adviser to the Cambodian government and worked with numerous international bodies and non-government organisations.