Graham Richardson

Speaker Profile

Graham Richardson's colourful political career took him from Labor Party branch organiser to General Secretary of the Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch) to Senator for New South Wales for the ALP and a senior minister in the Hawke and Keating governments, making him one of the Labor Party's key figures before his retirement in 1994.

A man with many tales from his 11 years in Federal politics, he is a currently a political commentator for the Seven Network (having previously appeared on the Nine Network) and broadcaster with 2GB. He is also a guest commentator on the ABC's Q&A program and in The Australian and is well-known for his former role as a board member of SOCOG - the committee that organised the Sydney Olympic Games - and as Mayor of the Olympic Village.

Graham brings politics to life. There is drama and humour as he relates his own successes and mistakes and reveals the real people behind the political masks. Peter Meakin, Channel Seven's head of news and current affairs, has said that 'it is pretty hard to separate Graham Richardson from Australian politics.' Author of the best-selling account of career politics, Whatever it Takes, Graham's is a story of loyalty and friendships and government lost and won. He is also an excellent commentator on the many and varied issues facing Australians today.

Travels from New South Wales