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
Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Richardson, calling him a "much loved" figure within the Labor Party and beyond during a segment on Sky News. Albanese described Richardson as a senior cabinet minister under the Hawke and Keating governments, a devoted husband and father, and a longtime contributor to Sky News Australia for 15 years.
"He’s someone who I often got advice from and he was always worth listening to."
"He was someone who was very much loved within the Labor party, but more broadly as well."
"He’s 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."
"Graham was someone who was incredibly loyal. He was loyal to me as Labor leader."
Albanese also fondly recalled Richardson as "a champion of the long lunch," mentioning their tradition of catching up annually at the Malaya restaurant.
"I'll miss our lunches at the Malaya, we used to try to catch up at least once a year."
Legacy
- Senior cabinet minister during Hawke and Keating administrations
- Contributed to Sky News Australia for 15 years
- Celebrated for intellect, political insight, and loyalty
- Remembered warmly by colleagues and Prime Minister Albanese
Graham Richardson was a respected political figure and loyal Labor advocate whose influence spanned decades and touched many across politics and media.