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Graham Richardson, a significant figure in Australian politics as a former Labor senator, influential party member, and media analyst, has passed away at the age of 76.
His wife shared with Ben Fordham on 2GB that Richardson succumbed to complications from influenza and pneumonia at 3:50 a.m.
Fordham conveyed a message from Richardson’s family, stating, “Darcy and Amanda wanted me to inform everyone that, unfortunately, Richo left us in the early hours today.”
In recent weeks, Richardson battled a severe case of influenza that developed into pneumonia. He also underwent a brief period of dialysis to stabilize his health.
Despite these challenges, Fordham noted that Richardson had the opportunity to witness a significant milestone in his son’s life.
Fordham said he lived long enough to see his son mark a milestone.
“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’. Darcy did his last HSC exam on Thursday, which was his French exam. And Richo’s died this morning,” Fordham said.
Richardson served as New South Wales senator in federal parliament between 1983 and 1994.
When he first arrived in parliament, he was the youngest elected senator at the time, at the age of just 33.
He served as a cabinet minister under prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating for a range of positions, including social security, transport and communications, health and the environment.
