Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson laid to rest at state funeral
Graham Richardson’s son has shared emotional stories of the political powerbroker he called dad, as the PM leads tributes to the man who was “bigger than a Labor legend”.
The Prime Minister may have led tributes at Graham Richardson’s state funeral service, but it was the kingmakers son and wife who moved high profile mourners to laughter and tears.
Mr Richardson died aged 76 in November, having battled health issues for years and despite his ailing health, he promised to live until his son D’Arcy had completed his HSC exams.
“Nothing could have prepared me to race to St Vincent’s hospital in the evening after I completed my final HSC exam, an experience that has left an indelible mark on my life,” D’Arcy said.
D’Arcyrevealed that he had long known that he would be speaking at his dad’s funeral.
“I’ve always known that my dad wasn’t going to be around as much as other dads, which is why I was so strict, keeping him to his exercise regimen despite his many protests,” he said.
In his final years, Mr Richardson’s dedication to his family mirroring the title of his memoir - ‘Whatever It Takes’.
“For me, ‘Whatever It Takes’ meant something else, it meant climbing two flights of steep stairs to attend the father-son graduation dinner earlier this year, a feat that had him throwing up in the bathroom once he had reached the top of the steep climb,” his son said.
“Despite feeling exhausted, he stayed for the whole night.”
While the younger Mr Richardson brought the emotion, his mum’s speech sparked laughter amongst the high profile attendees.
“Graham loved [the pallbearers] desperately, as he loved you all, or most of you all,” Mrs Richardson said to the roaring laughter of attendees.
“Okay, let’s be honest not all of you, but thank you for turning up anyway”.
Anthony Albanese led the tributes to Mr Richardson, labelling him as someone “bigger than a Labor legend” an someone who was “nearly as much a Sydney landmark as the Harbour Bridge” according to Mr Albanese.
“He transcended tribalism to become something bigger than a Labor legend,” he said.
“Richo knew everyone and everyone knew Richo. He was as comfortable in the circles of the powerful, the famous and the wealthy as he was in the front bar.
“That was the thing about Richo - he could talk to anyone and, importantly, listen to anyone as well.”
The first mourners to gather at St James’ Church in Sydney’s CBD on Tuesday morning included the new One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce and controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo.
There is no doubt of Mr Richardson’s political impact, even on today’s politicians according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who also gave tribute.
“Graham’s mark lives on in the current generation of Labor politicians,” Mr Marles said.
The deputy leader described Mr Richardson as a man “with a big heart” who loved his family above all else.
“He had a burning desire to ensure that D’Arcy was not left without a father during his childhood, and that Graham did live to see D’Arcy finish school and for his boy to have become a man amidst all the grief that is felt by Amanda, D’Arcy and indeed all of us today is an enormous sense of solace,” he said.
Mr Richardson passed away just days after his son finished his final HSC exam.
Also spotted among the mourners is embattled media figure Alan Jones, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Nationals senator Matt Canavan, former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and billionaire Gretel Packer.
Jones and Richardson co-hosted the Sky News show ‘Richo + Jones’ for several years before Mr Richardson’s ill-health saw him replaced by Mark Latham.
Richardson first entered the Senate in 1983 before going onto serve as a Cabinet minister in both the Hawke and Keating governments.
He is regarded as one of the main players both in installing Bob Hawke as prime minister and in the leadership coup of 1991 that saw then-treasurer Paul Keating take the federal leadership.
He resigned from parliament in 1994 and went on to be a political commentator and regular contributor to Sky News Australia.
Despite his ailing health, Mr Richardson promised to live until his son D’Arcy had completed his HSC exams.
The funeral service is due to begin at 11am.
The venue of Richardson’s service was changed from St Mary’s Cathedral to the Anglican Church at the 11th hour on Friday.
The change occurred due to the Richardson family’s desire to have his coffin draped with the Australian flag or the flag of the St George Dragons, the Daily Telegraph reported.
More to come.
