Name: Political heavyweight Graham Richardson dies aged 76
Uploaded: 2025-11-08T06:15:09.093Z
Duration: 3 min 1 s
Description: Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson has died at the age of 76 after several weeks battling influenza and pneumonia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Richardson was loyal, insightful, and a close friend.

Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson has died at the age of 76 after several weeks battling influenza and pneumonia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Richardson was loyal, insightful, and a close friend.

Council of the City of Sydney

Graham Richardson, a prominent figure in Australian politics and a key strategist for the Labor Party, has died at the age of 76. Known for his behind-the-scenes influence, Richardson was instrumental in shifting party support that led to Bob Hawke's rise to Prime Minister in 1983 and later played a decisive role in Paul Keating's leadership victory.

Richardson's career included significant achievements and controversies, including his role in securing environmental preferences for Labor and his eventual resignation from cabinet amid allegations of impropriety. Despite ongoing inquiries and a major tax settlement, he remained active as a commentator and a lifelong supporter of the Labor Party.

Political heavyweight Graham Richardson dies aged 76

With a body built from long lunches and a brain for numbers, Graeme Richardson may well have been the most powerful backroom political operator Australia has ever seen, helping shift the numbers from Bill Hayden to give Bob Hawke a walk-up start to power in 1983. I believe that a driver's dog could lead the Labour Party to victory, the way the country is. Bob Hawke knew the value of the powerful New South Wales Labour Party secretary. Richardson was a rusted-on supporter of mine. By just 33, Richo was a senator. In 1990, his backroom deals swung environmental preferences behind Labour, allowing Bob Hawke's fourth victory, despite the party losing the popular vote. And he didn't mind claiming credit. Ask the 20 marginal candidates who won seats on Democrat preferences and Green preferences. Richardson wanted his reward, promotion to transport and communications minister, but Hawke wouldn't give it to him. He switched. So that brought all the New South Wales right. That changed the whole landscape. With Richardson's numbers, now with Paul Keating, the outcome was never in doubt. A new prime minister of Australia, Paul Keating polled five votes ahead of Bob Hawke, 56 to 51. It's a very humbling experience, and I feel the poignancy of the moment. Incredibly, the leadership of the country had been shifted by one man's ambition to get the communications portfolio. The simple fact is that if I'd given Graham what he wanted in 1990, I would have kept the prime ministership. It's as simple as that. This is a victory for the true believers. Richardson was re-elected in Keating's great victory of 1993. But by the next year, he was forced out of cabinet amid questions over favours done for a cousin. I think this whole thing has been blown up out of absolutely nothing. For years, inquiries, committees, the whiff of scandal never seemed far off. Go on, you do it. If you want to make the allegations, back them up. Throughout it all... I refuse to answer the questions I notice. ...nothing ultimately really stuck, apart from the quiet settling of a multimillion dollar tax bill. The man whose political mantra was, whatever it takes, continued a career as a commentator, even after cancer surgery that would have stopped almost anyone else. He credited his son, Darcy, with giving him a reason to keep going. Richo remained lifelong labour, even as he acknowledged many in the left never stopped hating him. I don't think I'll ever come to this microphone again. And so in the words of a well-known statement, I've got to say, if you put it there and through me, I'll love you so. APPLAUSE Delegates, please be upstanding to congratulate the Honourable Graham Richardson. APPLAUSE Thank you. Hugh Rimenton, 10 News.

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