Copyright theage
He served as a cabinet minister under prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, variously as minister for social security, transport and communications, health and the environment. After leaving politics, he became a political commentator. He appeared on Channel 7’s election night coverage for years, and since 2011 hosted Richo, an evening commentary program on Sky News. He also led Richo + Jones, a joint program with former broadcaster Alan Jones. The outspoken Labor veteran had battled cancer for years, but remained active in the media until as late as September this year. In 2016, he underwent a marathon 18-hour surgery to remove several organs, during which his heart stopped several times. “I wasn’t sure if this was a vengeful God getting even with me for all the evil deeds that I’d done over the years,” Richardson remembered in an interview at the time.
