Branded the “minister for kneecaps” during his time as a Labor senator, Graham Richardson was a political powerbroker who exerted substantial influence over the party’s factions, and therefore its leadership.

A master of factional horse-trading, Richardson’s political career was peppered with controversy. Although dogged by various scandals, the gregarious, lunch-loving “Richo” became one of Australia’s most skilful and well-connected political operators.

Richardson, whose death at age 76 after a long period of ill health was announced on Saturday, also left a substantial policy legacy. As social security minister in the early 1990s, with the economy under pressure, he advocated passionately for pensioners at risk of losing their incomes. As environment minister, he ensured the establish

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