Frank yet charismatic: Former Labor senator Graham Richardson dead at 76
Veteran Labor powerbroker and Sky News contributor Graham Richardson passed away at the age of 76 on Saturday.
Tributes from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid a heartfelt tribute to Richardson, describing him as a "much loved" figure within the Labor Party and beyond.
"He’s someone who I often got advice from and he was always worth listening to," Mr Albanese said.
He added that Richardson was widely respected for his intellect, political insight, and ability to get to the heart of complex matters.
"He was someone who everyone worked with him and had contact with him had to respect his intellect his capacity to cut through, and his insight into the way that politics worked."
Career and personal life
- Richardson served as a senior cabinet minister in the Hawke and Keating governments.
- He was also a husband and father.
- For 15 years, he contributed to Sky News Australia.
Personal memories
The Prime Minister fondly recalled Richardson's loyalty and their shared tradition of enjoying long lunches.
"Graham was someone who was incredibly loyal. He was loyal to me as Labor leader."
"I'll miss our lunches at the Malaya, we used to try to catch up at least once a year."
Graham Richardson was remembered as a prominent, respected, and warm figure in Australian politics and media.
Author's summary
Graham Richardson’s legacy as a sharp, loyal political figure and beloved media contributor left a lasting impact on the Labor Party and Australian public life.