Former Labor powerbroker turned media commentator Graham "Richo" Richardson has died aged 76.

The death of the key federal factional leader in the Hawke-Keating years was confirmed on Sydney talkback station 2GB on Saturday by broadcaster Ben Fordham.

Mr Richardson passed away after a bout of influenza and pneumonia, his family told the breakfast host who announced the news.

"Darcy and Amanda have asked me to share the news with everyone, and sadly, Richo has passed away in the early hours of this morning, Fordham said.

"This has come as a huge shock to me."

The former senator played a major role in the factional stability enjoyed for most of the nine years of Bob Hawke's government before he threw his support behind Paul Keating.

He also became an advocate for nature and as environm

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