Iconic Australian Politician Graham Richardson Dies Aged 76
Graham “Richo” Richardson, a former Labor senator, influential powerbroker, and political commentator, has died at the age of 76. Tributes have been flowing in for the controversial figure, who passed away early Saturday after battling ongoing health problems.
Political Career and Legacy
Richardson served as a cabinet minister during the Hawke and Keating administrations and was a Labor senator representing New South Wales throughout his political tenure. He played a key role in the 1991 Labor leadership change, where Bob Hawke was replaced by then-Treasurer Paul Keating.
Later Career and Media Work
After leaving politics, Richardson became a prominent political commentator and a regular contributor to Sky News Australia.
Final Days and Family
Despite his health struggles, Richardson was determined to live long enough to see his son D’Arcy complete his Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams. His son finished the last exam on Thursday, after which Richardson passed away.
“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’,” said 2GB host Ben Fordham. “Darcy did his last HSC exam on Thursday, which was his French exam. And Richo died this morning.”
Fordham added that Richardson had suffered recurrent bouts of influenza and pneumonia and had been undergoing dialysis.
Summary
Graham Richardson's lifelong impact on Australian politics and media, coupled with his determined spirit in his final days, marks the end of a significant chapter in the Labor Party’s history.