A giant of the Labor party, a force of nature: tributes are flowing following the passing of Graham "Richo" Richardson.

The death of the 76-year-old Labor powerbroker and media commentator was confirmed on Saturday.

"We have lost a giant of the Labor party and a remarkable Australian," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

Mr Richardson 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.

In 1983, aged just 33, he became the youngest senator ever elected and stayed in the role until 1994.

Known as the "minister for kneecaps" during his time in the Upper House, Mr Richardson was widely feared as a number-cruncher, fixer and kingmaker.

He also became an advocate for na

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