Graham Richardson, former Labor powerbroker and senator, dead at 76
PM Anthony Albanese heads up tributes flowing from across the political divide for the one-time ALP kingmaker, senator and media commentator who has died after a long health battle.
Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to his “loyal friend” and “larger-than-life” figure Graham Richardson, the former federal Labor senator who has died at the age of 76..
The prime minister dialled into ABC Radio at midday and said Richardson’s loyalty and political instincts made him a formidable ally and confidant over decades.
“He was a larger than life character and he was someone who always lifted up the spirits of a room wherever he was,” Mr Albanese said.
Richardson was a former Hawke and Keating government minister and powerbroker of Labor’s powerful NSW right faction.
His death was confirmed on 2GB radio on Saturday morning after broadcaster Ben Fordham said he had been contacted by Richardson’s family.
The former senator and cabinet minister had battled ill-health for years after a long fight with cancer and multiple surgeries, including a 18-hour operation in 2016 that left him without several organs.
Despite health issues, Richardson had remained active in media until as late as September this year.
Richardson rose from the party’s NSW machine to help deliver the victories of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating – and later, Hawke’s downfall.
Sad to hear of the passing of Graham Richardson. A warrior, but a sensible one.
— Brad Rowswell MP (@BradRowswell) November 8, 2025
This cheeky @SkyNewsAust interaction, on the 10th anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s demise, from the archives 👇🼠pic.twitter.com/JzS4QeoBtL
He became NSW Labor general secretary at just 27 and entered the Senate by 33. From those positions, he built the NSW Right faction that came to dominate federal Labor through the 1980s and 1990s.
Before he died, Richardson reportedly told his wife, Amanda, that he planned to live until their son Darcy finished his HSC exams.
He finished his final exam on Thursday.
On Saturday, Amanda said: “I’ve lost the love of my life. Darcy’s lost the greatest dad and Australia’s lost one of its best. He was a man ahead of his time.”
Richardson had served in senior portfolios under Hawke and Keating, including environment, social security, transport, communications and health.
As environment minister, he oversaw conservation moves such as protecting the Daintree and Kakadu and blocking the Wesley Vale pulp mill in Tasmania.
Vale Graham Richardson, whose brave battle with cancer has come to an end. A fiercely loyal Labor man who was not afraid to make friends across the political aisle.
— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) November 8, 2025
I enjoyed his company and his insights, and extend my condolences to Amanda, Darcy, and the family. pic.twitter.com/QwZZd0zFTM
Very sad to hear Graham ‘Richo’ Richardson has passed. He was always encouraging with his honesty. Last saw him on a TV debate in 2021. We took a bet. I lost a $100 wager. When I messaged for his account details he asked to convert it to a lunch next time I was in Sydney.
— Tim Wilson (@TimWilsonMP) November 8, 2025
Sad news that Graham Richardson has died. He lived a long and colourful life. A political kingmaker and reforming minister, controversial, entertaining and few people have been as shrewd about politics.#vale#auspolpic.twitter.com/CWjueTS8lV
— Troy Bramston (@TroyBramston) November 8, 2025
Very sorry to hear of the passing today of Labor legend & former Senator Graham Richardson. In all our debates he was always gracious and wise with his unique encyclopaedic knowledge of Labor lore and history. He encouraged me throughout my career and loved our country. His…
— Senator The Hon. Bridget McKenzie (@senbmckenzie) November 8, 2025
Mr Albanese said Richardson had told him of his final wish about son Darcy.
“He said this to me too, that he wanted to stick around to see Darcy, his son, conclude his schooling. Darcy had his last exam yesterday afternoon at 5 o’clock and Graham passed away in the early hours of this morning,” Mr Albanese said.
He described Richardson as a “Labor loyalist” who remained a trusted supporter even after leaving parliament.
“He was a Labor loyalist. He was very loyal to me and my leadership as well,” he said.
“He was someone who was fiercely loyal to those people around him and in return, he inspired, I think, a great deal of affection. And I think Australians saw that side of him with his work in the media and television.”
‘One of a kind’
Scott Morrison also paid tribute to his “good friend”, with the former prime minister describing Richardson as a “cheeky,” loyal and “truly one of a kind” figure who was both a fierce partisan and a generous friend across political lines.
“I first properly met Richo on a seven news set at the old national tally centre in Canberra where we shared a panel on 2010 election night. We struck up an unlikely friendship that continued ever since,” Mr Morrison said.
“Graham never made any claims to perfection or denied his cheeky roguish ways. He owned his decisions and their consequences. He never walked back the ‘whatever it takes’ calls he made over a lifetime in politics and was always at the centre when politics was at its most brutal (and that was just the internal fights).
“He showed extraordinary courage during his long-running illness and was cared for selflessly by his loving wife Amanda, who has been a saint to him, along with Darcy, as they shared these years together. He was very grateful for his second chance.
“Rest in peace Richo.”
Charismatic commentary
Sky News chief executive Paul Whittaker paid tribute to Richardson on Saturday.
“During his almost 15 years delivering his frank yet charismatic commentary on political affairs on Sky News, Richo added an insight, expertise, and depth that enhanced political discourse in Australia,” Mr Whittaker said.
“His uncompromising style and enviable ability to call the election result, often before anyone else, cemented him as a key fixture of Sky News’ election night coverage, while his contributions across the network helped shape Sky News into the leading destination for live political news coverage it is today.
“Richo was an inspiring and loyal member of the Sky News team whose presence in the newsroom, and on our screens, will be greatly missed.”
Sky News chief news anchor Kieran Gilbert said Richardson had been a great political commentator and friend. “We should remember the career that he had, from the Labor Party machine into the Senate,” Gilbert said.
“He was elected on three occasions. He served across various portfolios, from the environment to transport to health.
“But his legacy is much broader than that. He’s been one of the great political commentators for so long, a key part of our election nights.
“It’s is a sad day for all of us at Sky News, a sad day for Labor.”
Former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, a Liberal, also paid tribute from across the political divide, describing Richardson as “a great man and a great loss”.
“He was passionately Labor but always generous with his advice and support because above all he wanted to make NSW a better place,” Mr Perrottet said, extending his “deepest condolences” to Mr Richardson’s wife and son, Amanda and Darcy.
‘Full tectonic plate’
Tony Burke has described Richardson as a “full tectonic plate” in politics, paying tribute to his “mate”.
The minister for Home Affairs issued a statement saying that many people in public life can be described as a “force of nature”, but “Richo was a full tectonic plate. Dragging the entire landscape with him when he moved.”
Mr Burke also recalled working for Richardon during his tenure as health minister as the most junior staff member.
“As the most junior of his staff I attended many speeches hearing him explain to members of the AMA how he would defend their right to be completely wrong about Medicare,” Mr Burke said.
“I know the title of his book will always lead people to conclude everything was about power. I saw, up close, a fiercely loyal man try to drive a better health system and invest his capital before he left parliament in obtaining what was back then the largest ever investment in Indigenous Health.
“I’ll miss his support, humour, his counsel and his occasional insistence on a very long lunch.
“I hold very dear the reference he gave me when he left parliament. It simply read: “Tony is a mate.”
“He smiled and said “It’s all you’ll ever need.”
‘Political insight’
NSW Premier Chris Minns, also from the state’s Right faction over which Richardson exerted influence for so long, lauded the “considerable” impact he had on Labor over the decades.
“On behalf of the NSW Government, I extend my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Graham Richardson on the sad news of his passing,” he said in a statement.
“Graham Richardson made a significant contribution to public life as a senator, cabinet minister and long-time member of the Labor movement.
“He was known for his political insight, his commitment to the party, and his deep understanding of Australian public life.
“His influence on the Labor Party and Australian politics was considerable, and his legacy will be remembered by many who worked alongside him.”
‘Colossal environmental achievements’
Former Labor premier and foreign affairs minister Bob Carr said Richardson would be remembered for his “colossal” environmental achievements as a federal minister, such as securing a World Heritage Listing for Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest.
“It’s a sad moment, especially for people of my generation who counted Graham Richardson as a colleague and friend going back to our days in Young Labor in the early 70s,” he said.
“We went to one another’s weddings, and ran around Whitlam rallies in 1975 with plastic buckets, getting donations.
“He will be remembered for colossal environmental achievements as a federal minister. He was smart and funny and quick to get to the essence of anything. He did that on environmental causes and Australians for hundreds of years will enjoy the results.”
‘Friendship that blossomed’
Former prime minister Tony Abbott said he was grateful for his friendship with Richardson that “blossomed” over the years, adding the late Labor heavyweight had exemplified partisanship that could engage with opponents with respect.
“Graham Richardson was a fierce Labor warrior who mellowed into a generous-spirited and widely liked voice in our public life,” Mr Abbott said in a statement on social media.
“I am grateful for a friendship that blossomed after he began his media work.
“He played his politics hard but at least in later years fair as well. Richo exemplified a decent partisanship that could engage opponents with respect.
“I will miss him. My deepest sympathies go out to Amanda, Darcy and his broader family at this time.”
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