With the passing of Graham Richardson, we have lost a giant of the Labor Party and a remarkable Australian.
He served as NSW Labor General Secretary. At 33, he arrived in Federal Parliament as the then youngest ever Senator and went on to serve as a Minister in the Hawke and Keating governments.
He served as Minister for Social Security, for Transport and Communications, and for Health – but it was his impact as Minister for the Environment he will be most remembered for. 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 put it, “My memory won’t be around for very long, but the rainforests of north Queensland will be around forever.”
Richo’s life was often colourful, and sometimes controversial, but what lay at the heart of it was his sense of service, underpinned by his powerful blend of passion and pragmatism. He gave so much to our party, to our nation and to the natural environment that future generations will cherish.
Graham left the Parliament but he never left politics. He remained a thoughtful, perceptive and engaged observer, commentator and source of counsel and insight to so many, across the political spectrum.
Despite the considerable health challenges he faced later in life, Richo remained an active part of the national discourse, sharing a lifetime of wisdom with Australian audiences right up until the end.
He loved and lived all of what politics can be: service, calling, art and craft.
Of all the promises he made, the most powerful was to his wife, Amanda, when he told her that he planned to live until their son Darcy completed his HSC exams.
Richo kept his word.
I spoke with Amanda this morning to express my condolences. She and Darcy and all of Richo’s family are very much in our hearts.
I also express my deepest sympathies to all who loved Richo, and to everyone in the Labor family who is today mourning the loss of a friend, mentor and inspiration.
May his efforts for the people of Australia be remembered, and may he rest in peace.