Graham Richardson, the veteran Labor politician and media commentator affectionately known as “Richo” across Australia, passed away on the morning of 8 November 2025. He was 76 years old.
Before his passing, Richardson had made a poignant promise to his wife Amanda: he would live long enough to see their son Darcy complete his Higher School Certificate exams. True to his word, Richardson held on until Darcy finished his final exam on Thursday. He died just days later around 3:50am on Saturday.
The news was announced on 2GB radio by presenter Ben Fordham, marking the end of an era for Australian politics and media.
We have some sad news to share.
Former Federal Minister Graham Richardson has died.
The Labor Party legend was 76 years old.
🎧https://t.co/w37BimWFti 🎧 pic.twitter.com/jK4mDgr4EM
— Ben Fordham Live (@BenFordhamLive) November 8, 2025
From Union Halls to the Senate Floor
Richardson’s journey through Australian Labor politics was nothing short of remarkable. Born on 27 September 1949 in Sydney, he was shaped by his parents’ deep involvement in union activism. His father Fred and mother Peggy worked respectively as New South Wales state secretary and office manager of the Amalgamated Postal and Telecommunications Union.
His entry into politics came early. At just 17, Richardson joined the Monterey branch of the Labor Party in 1966. By 26, he had become the youngest General Secretary of the New South Wales Branch of the ALP, a position he held from 1976 to 1983.
During this period, Richardson earned his reputation as a formidable “power broker” within the Labor Right faction. He worked alongside some of the toughest figures in the party, learning the art of political manoeuvring that would define his career.
A Senate Career That Shaped Modern Australia
When Richardson was elected to the Senate for New South Wales in 1983 at age 33, he became the youngest senator ever elected. This coincided with Bob Hawke’s Labor government defeating the Fraser-Anthony Liberal-National coalition.
Over 11 years in Federal Parliament, Richardson served in several key ministerial roles:
- Minister for the Environment and the Arts (1987-1988)
- Minister for Health (1993-1994)
- Minister for the Environment, Sport and Territories (1994)
His time as Health Minister was marked by genuine passion for Aboriginal health reform. Mike Codd, Paul Keating’s secretary, described Richardson as “genuinely passionate” about improving Indigenous health outcomes. Richardson went on national television promising $1.3 billion in new funding for Aboriginal health initiatives.
Richardson resigned from parliament in March 1994, officially citing ill-health, though controversies surrounding his ministerial conduct were also emerging at the time.
The Media Years: From Politician to Commentator
After leaving politics, Richardson reinvented himself as one of Australia’s most recognisable political commentators. He hosted the weekly programme “Richo” on Sky News Australia and became a regular voice on 2GB radio.
His media presence was characterised by sharp political insights, fearless commentary and an ability to explain complex political manoeuvring to everyday Australians. Rowan Dean of The Spectator Australia remembered Richardson as “a feisty, articulate, insightful, and entertaining commentator.”
Richardson’s appearances on Paul Murray Live were legendary for their spirited debates. Dean recalled how he and Richardson would “go hammer and tongs over whatever was the left-right issue of the day,” yet afterwards they’d be “laughing and having a few beers together.”
Graham Frederick Richardson (27 September 1949 – 8 November 2025)
A Decades-Long Battle with Cancer
Richardson’s courage extended beyond political battles. Diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in 1999, he underwent five major operations to remove tumours. In 2016, he faced his most serious health crisis when doctors told him he needed pelvic exenteration, a radical surgery to remove his bowel, bladder, prostate and rectum.
“They say it’s all got to come out – the lot,” Richardson said at the time.
After the April 2016 operation, he suffered breathing difficulties and was moved back to intensive care. Yet remarkably, he returned to Sky News just two months later, in time to cover the 2016 federal election on 2 July.
For years, Richardson maintained his typical pugnacious determination, insisting “it won’t kill me.” He continued broadcasting and sharing his political opinions despite his declining health.
A Father’s Final Act
Richardson’s death was preceded by a touching display of paternal love. He told his wife Amanda he planned to live until their son Darcy completed his HSC exams. When Darcy finished his final exam on Thursday, Richardson had kept his promise.
He passed away peacefully just two days later.
The Spectator Australia’s tribute noted that Richardson’s thoughts and prayers were with “his wife Amanda and his son, Darcy, who was the proudest achievement of his life.”
Political Tributes Pour In
The reaction to Richardson’s death has been swift and heartfelt across the political spectrum. His ability to maintain friendships across party lines was testament to his character beyond the political theatre.
Former colleagues and opponents alike have praised Richardson’s political acumen, his entertaining media presence, and his genuine warmth in personal interactions. Many recalled his famous autobiography “Whatever it Takes,” which became a bestselling account of Australian political life.
Richardson’s influence on Australian politics cannot be overstated. As one of the key figures in the most successful Labor government in history, he helped shape policies and political strategies that continue to resonate today.
A Legacy Beyond Politics
Beyond his political career, Richardson served on the board of SOCOG, the committee that organised the Sydney Olympic Games. He held the ceremonial role of Mayor of the Olympic Village during the 2000 Games, adding another chapter to his varied public service career.
His book “Whatever it Takes” became required reading for anyone wanting to understand the inner workings of Australian political life. It was a story of loyalty, friendships, and the battles that defined a generation of Labor politics.
The End of an Era
Graham Richardson’s death marks the passing of a unique figure in Australian public life. He was a man who played hardball politics at the highest level, yet maintained a warmth and wit that endeared him to colleagues and opponents alike.
From the union halls of Sydney to the Senate chamber in Canberra, from ministerial offices to television studios, Richardson’s six-decade involvement in Australian politics and public commentary leaves an indelible mark.
His final act, staying alive to see his son complete his education, showed that beneath the political operator and media personality was a devoted father who knew what truly mattered.
Graham Frederick Richardson is survived by his wife Amanda and son Darcy. He will be remembered not just as “Richo,” the Labor power broker, but as a man who loved his family, his party, and his country.
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FAQs
Q: What was Graham Richardson’s cause of death?
A: Graham Richardson died on 8 November 2025 after a long battle with chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer he was diagnosed with in 1999. He had undergone multiple major surgeries including a radical pelvic exenteration in 2016.
Q: How old was Graham Richardson when he became a senator?
A: Richardson was just 33 years old when he was elected to the Senate for New South Wales in 1983, making him the youngest senator ever elected to the Australian Parliament at that time.
Q: What was Graham Richardson’s role in the Hawke and Keating governments?
A: Richardson served as a cabinet minister in both the Hawke and Keating Labor governments, holding portfolios including Environment and Arts (1987-1988), Health (1993-1994), and Environment, Sport and Territories (1994).
Q: Why was Graham Richardson called a “power broker”?
A: Richardson earned this nickname due to his influential role in the Labor Right faction and his skill in political manoeuvring. As NSW ALP General Secretary at just 26, he became one of the youngest and most effective political operators in the party’s history.
Q: What was Graham Richardson’s final promise?
A: Before his death, Richardson promised his wife Amanda he would live long enough to see their son Darcy complete his HSC (Higher School Certificate) exams. He kept that promise, passing away just two days after Darcy finished his final exam.
