Paul Keating hails Graham Richardson’s distinguished policy roles during Labor’s reform years

Paul Keating has praised his former cabinet colleague as a man who could ‘discern the big picture from the dross’, as tributes continue to flow for Graham Richardson.

Paul Keating and Graham Richardson in 1990 at Parliament House in Canberra. In 1990-91, Richardson was one of the key strategists who worked with Keating to bring down Bob Hawke.

Paul Keating has remembered his former cabinet colleague and factional ally Graham Richardson as a working-class intellectual “who could always discern the big picture from the dross”, as tributes flowed at the weekend for the late Labor powerbroker.

Richardson died on Saturday morning at the age of 76 after years of medical battles, having kept his promise to fight on to see his son Darcy finish high school exams.

The former NSW Labor senator and party secretary had distinguished himself in cabinet particularly as environment minister, where he saved the Daintree rainforest and in turn helped to harness the green vote for Labor.

But he will always be remembered as the ultimate ALP mach­ine man who helped to make and break prime ministers.

Richardson played a key role in devising the strategy for Bob Hawke’s 1983 victory but later, when thwarted, set out to do ‘whatever it takes’ to oust Hawke.

Mr Keating on Sunday hailed Richardson as an effective and distinguished policy voice in the reform years of the 1980s and early ’90s. “Graham Richardson was a working-class intellectual and Labor loyalist. He served the Labor Party administratively and well and went on to become a very effective senator,” the former prime minister said in a statement.

“Labor in government took Graham on to important and senior ministerial roles including the environment and health, roles in which he distinguished himself.”

Mr Keating also mentioned Richardson’s “factional responsibilities” and sharp political mind.

Mr Richardson played an integral role in displacing then-Labor leader Bill Hayden for Bob Hawke hours before the 1983 election was called but he switched his support to Mr Keating in 1991 after falling out with his one-time mentor.

Graham Richardson starts work as the youngest NSW secretary of the ALP in 1976.

Pictured in 1991. He served as a Labor senator (1983-1994) and minister (1987-1994).

Hawke had refused to give Richardson the transport and communications portfolio, which led to the late NSW senator recalling he said he would do “whatever it takes” to oust Hawke. “Whatever it takes” would later be the title for Mr Richardson’s groundbreaking political memoir in 1994.

Mr Keating said in his statement that Richardson shone in political comment. “While ever in the parliament, he also carried important factional responsibilities for the effective distribution of political weight and representation within the caucus and ministry,” he said.

Graham Richardson and News Australia’s NSW managing director John Lehmann at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, 2022. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Richardson and wife Amanda. Picture: Toby Dixon

“Possessing a sharp political mind, Graham shone in political comment, as he joined the commentariat at various news outlets over an extended period.

“He could always discern the big picture from the dross, such that his comment possessed weight and wisdom. He was always well read and listened to. My condolences go to his wife, Amanda, son Darcy and wider family.”

Anthony Albanese on Saturday said Richardson was a giant of the Labor Party and a remarkable Australian.

“The scale of his achievements is indisputable, yet he was characteristically self-­effacing. As he once put it, ‘My memory won’t be around for very long, but the rainforests of north Queensland will be around forever’,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

“Richo’s life was often colourful, and sometimes controversial, but what lay at the heart of it was his sense of service, underpinned by his powerful blend of passion and pragmatism.

“He gave so much to our party, to our nation and to the natural environment that future generations will cherish. Graham left parliament but never left politics. He remained a thoughtful, perceptive and engaged observer, commentator and source of counsel and insight to so many, across the political spectrum.”

Former Labor leader and deputy prime minister Kim Beazley said Mr Richardson played a big role in easing through many of the Hawke-Keating reforms with the ALP and the public.

“If we are lucky enough to approach the Pearly Gates on passing I think we will find St Peter has a new numbers man. Hope so, it might give me a chance,” Mr Beazley said of his former cabinet colleague.

“Graham was at the driver’s seat of what needed to happen.”

Mr Richardson was also remembered fondly by Coalition foes including former prime ministers Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott.

Before he died, Mr Richardson reportedly told his wife he planned to live until Darcy finished his HSC exams. His final exam was 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.”