John Laws funeral: Attendees, time, location
Who has been given a state funeral over the years?
A number of Australians known for their contributions in politics, business, entertainment and sport have been offered government services.
Latest NSW state monument It was held in March for David Polson, a key figure in Australia’s fight against HIV/AIDS in the 1980s after he was diagnosed with a then relatively unknown virus.
Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku was celebrated at a state memorial service at Sydney City Hall in 2021.Credit: Louise Kennerley
Barry Humphries, Eddie Jaku, Bob Fulton and Carla Zampatti are among the high-profile Australians honored for public service in the past four years.
Which important names did not receive an award and why?
It is common for families to decline the offer of public service, opting instead for a smaller funeral or memorial service without attracting public attention.
Among those who rejected the offer are the families of Steve Irwin and Richie Benaud. Irwin’s father, Bob, said Steve wanted “to be remembered as an ordinary man” and would not appreciate the fanfare of a civil service. Benaud’s widow, Daphne, spoke out against the proposal, sharing that Richie wanted a private funeral.
Steve Irwin’s family rejected an offer of civil service.
A proposal for civil service for Cardinal George Pell, whose conviction for child sexual abuse was overturned on appeal at the Supreme Court in 2020, was rejected by the then Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, who said he “couldn’t think of anything more distressing for the surviving victims”.
Public support for a state tribute to Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig, who died in December last year, has failed to make any overtures to his family. A public memorial service in honor of Leunig was instead held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne.
How much do they cost?
The cost of a government service covered by the taxpayer depends on several factors.
Magnificent Melbourne Cricket Ground service commemorating the great cricketer Shane Warne For example, it cost taxpayers in Victoria $1.6 million in 2022; that was nearly three times the price of the state’s second-most expensive funeral that year.
This included $1 million to Eddie McGuire’s JAM TV and $420,000 to the Melbourne Cricket Club for the staging and production of the event.
Shane Warne’s state memorial service was held at the MCG.Credit: EddieJim
By comparison, former Victorian minister Jane Garrett’s 2022 state funeral at Brunswick Town Hall cost $50,000.
Who is expected to attend John Laws’ funeral?
The state funeral is open to the public and anyone can attend. It will also be streamed live on the NSW government website.
Among those expected to attend the event are political leaders from the past and present. Broadcasters and other celebrities are also expected to join those at St Andrew’s Cathedral.
St Andrew’s Cathedral will host John Laws’ funeral service.Credit: Wolter Peeters
One broadcaster whose involvement is questionable is Kyle Sandilands, who described Laws as “one of the true originals” and, following his death, a “mentor and husband.” Speaking on his radio show on Wednesday, Sandilands said he was hesitant about attending the funeral due to his reluctance to be photographed by paparazzi in an emotionally vulnerable state.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who remembers Laws as an “iconic Australian”, will not attend. Instead he will be represented by Deputy Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite.
Minns or a senior member of the NSW government is expected to attend.
When was the last state funeral at St Andrew’s Cathedral?
Laws’ state funeral will be the first to be held at St Andrew’s since 2009, when mourners gathered to mourn. Pioneering Australian aviator Nancy-Bird Walton.
Football legend Johnny Warren and country musician David “Slim Dusty” Gordon Kirkpatrick are among other Australians to be welcomed into civil service at St Andrew’s.
This byline will be published on the live blog of John Laws’ funeral service from 12pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.
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