Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson laid to rest at state funeral

Anthony Albanese has delivered the eulogy at the state funeral of political kingmaker Graham Richardson, saying he was “bigger than a Labor legend”.

Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Graham Richardson as someone “bigger than a Labor legend” at the political kingmaker’s state funeral.

The Prime Minister delivered the eulogy at Richardson’s funeral service on Tuesday, where a number of high-profile political figures have joined the crowd of mourners.

Richardson died aged 76 in November, having battled health issues for years.

“He transcended tribalism to become something bigger than a Labor legend,” Mr Albanese said on Tuesday.

“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.

Graham Richardson is survived by his wife Amanda and son D'Arcy. Pic: Instagram

Graham Richardson promised to hang on until his son D'Arcy Richardson completed his HSC exams, a promise he kept. Picture: Supplied.

The coffin has arrived at St James Church ahead of the service. Picture: NewsWire,

Anthony Albanese will also be in attendance and will deliver the eulogy, before tributes and vignettes from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, ambassador to the Holy See Keith Pitt, and former prime minister Tony Abbott.

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.

Some of the country’s most powerful figures are expected to be in attendance. Picture: NewsWire

The Prime Minister will give Mr Richardson’s eulogy. Picture: NewsWire

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’s venue was changes last minute from St Marys Cathedral to St James’ Church New South Wales. Picture: NewsWire,

“When he had his big health challenge, he said to his wife Amanda, ‘I’m going to live till I see Darcy finish exams and his HSC’,” 2GB host Ben Fordham told the station in the wake of his death.

“Darcy did his last HSC exam on Thursday, which was his French exam. And Richo died this morning.”

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.

Originally published as Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson laid to rest at state funeral