Labor heavyweights, Anthony Albanse farewell political powerbroker in Sydney service
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend this morning’s ceremony and deliver the commemorative speech.
Here is part of the prime minister’s statement, released on November 8, following Richardson’s death from cancer at the age of 76:
With the passing of Graham Richardson we have lost one of the giants of the Labor Party and a remarkable Australian.
He served as NSW Labor Secretary General. He came to the Federal Parliament at the age of 33 as the youngest Senator at the time, and served as a Minister in the Hawke and Keating governments.
He served as Minister of Social Security, Transport and Communications, and Health; but it was the impact for which he will be most remembered as Environment Minister. As minister he championed the protection of our natural environment, including saving the Daintree.
The scale of his achievements is indisputable, yet he was characteristically self-effacing. As he once said, “My memory won’t last long but the rainforests of North Queensland will be around forever.”
Richo’s life was often colorful and sometimes controversial, but at its heart was a sense of service underpinned by a powerful blend of passion and pragmatism. He gave so much to our party, our nation and the natural environment that future generations will cherish.
Graham left Parliament but never left politics. He remained a thoughtful, insightful and engaged observer, commentator and source of advice and insight to many across the political spectrum.
Despite the significant health challenges he faced later in life, Richo remained an active part of the national discourse, sharing a lifetime of wisdom with Australian audiences to the fullest.
He loved and lived all that politics could do: service, calling, arts and crafts.
Of all the promises he made, the strongest was when he told his wife Amanda that he planned to live until their son Darcy had completed his HSC exams.
Richo kept his promise.
