Australian radio broadcaster dies aged 90

Known as “Golden Tonsils”, Laws was one of Australia’s most recognizable voices on talkback radio. He began his career at Bendigo’s 3BO in 1953 and went on to work at four of Sydney’s biggest radio stations.

Laws ended his 13-year tenure at radio network 2SM in 2024, ending his 71-year career.

The king of Sydney’s morning radio, 2UE’s John Laws (left) receives the ultimate gift of all: his very own golden microphone from 2UE radio’s chairman, Mr John Conde. March 19, 1993. Credit: John Conde

He became widely known during his various stints at Sydney station 2UE and for his rivalry with Alan Jones. After staying away from the industry for four years, Laws returned to radio in 2011 with The John Laws Morning Show on 2SM.

Over the decades, Laws built a reputation as a formidable interviewer with politicians of all persuasions, befriending a succession of prime ministers and influencing mainstream political views.

John Laws at a private meeting after John Fordham's funeral in 2019. — John Laws at a private meeting after John Fordham’s funeral in 2019.Credit: Steven Siewert

For example, during an interview with John Laws in May 1986, while Prime Minister Bob Hawke was traveling abroad, Paul Keating famously warned that Australia was in danger of becoming a “banana republic”, code for third-rate economics, following some bad economic news.

‘I’m telling the truth’

Albanese paid tribute and offered his condolences “to his loved ones and all those who benefited from his wisdom and guidance.”

“Generations of Australians have trusted and respected him because he gets it straight, goes deep and gives his guests and listeners a chance to be heard,” he wrote in X.

Radio presenter Kyle Sandilands mourned the loss of a “mentor and a wife”.

NSW Premier Chris Minns called Laws “a towering figure on Australian radio whose voice has resonated across the country for more than seven decades.”

“His legacy lies not only in the thousands of hours of broadcasting, but also in the connection he made with millions of Australians,” Minns said in a statement.

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said he had known Laws all his life and that “good talkback presenters have the golden trait for success; they are very smart with facts and very good with psychology”.

“From his time in 2LF to his end in 2SM, he never lost it. I’m really sorry, I think we’ll just call each other friends.”

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australia had lost a true pioneer of broadcasting with the death of John Laws.

“His unfailing voice has become part of our national music. He has informed and entertained millions, asked difficult questions and always made room for others to be heard. He has helped shape public debate with a style that is fearless, insightful and clearly his own,” he said. “My thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who admired him. His legacy will echo for years to come.”

Accolades, influence and ‘money for comments’

In 1999, Laws and Jones were the subject of the infamous “money for review” incident, in which Laws was accused of editing paid advertising for brands such as Qantas, Foxtel and others without disclosing it. In 2004, it was revealed that he had violated the advertising law in a second scandal.

Since then he has violated the broadcast watchdog’s codes several times.

In 2014, communications watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority found he had breached the law’s privacy provisions after reading the full name and phone number of a listener who was critical of his program live on air. He breached the rules once again in 2020 for a “dangerous” suicidal insult directed at an audience member.

Laws received the OBE in 1974, then the CBE in 1978, and was awarded International Broadcaster of the Year in 2004. During his career he was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame, the Australian Media Hall of Fame and the Country Music Association Hall of Fame.