Frank yet charismatic: Former Labor senator Graham Richardson dead at 76
Veteran Labor powerbroker and Sky News contributor Graham Richardson died aged 76 on Saturday. He was a senior cabinet minister in the Hawke and Keating governments and contributed to Sky News Australia for 15 years.
Tribute from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid a heartfelt tribute, remembering Mr Richardson as a “much loved” figure in the Labor Party and beyond. Albanese said:
“He’s someone who I often got advice from and he was always worth listening to.”
He described Richardson as respected for his intellect, ability to cut through issues, and deep political insight.
Legacy and personal memories
Albanese highlighted Richardson’s loyalty, saying, “Graham was someone who was incredibly loyal. He was loyal to me as Labor leader.” He also fondly recalled their shared lunches:
“A champion of the long lunch. I'll miss our lunches at the Malaya, we used to try to catch up at least once a year.”
Summary
Graham Richardson was a highly respected and loyal Labor figure whose sharp intellect and charisma left a lasting impact across politics and media.