AARON PATRICK: Good or evil, political powerbroker Graham Richardson was from a lost Labor era

Former Labor Party faction leader Graham Richardson’s funeral today was a generous, entertaining and, at times, thoughtful tribute to a central figure in one of Australia’s most consequential governments.

Richardson, who died a month ago aged 76, personified what voters hate about politics and political insiders revere: a ruthless self-interest dedicated to the obtainment of power.

How much credit Richardson deserved for Labor’s heydays as head of the right faction in the 1980s in New South Wales and at the federal level is disputed. The commonly accepted view that he played a pivotal role in the 1983 election of the Hawke government, and its subsequent 12 years of power, has been challenged by Labor historian Rodney Cavalier.

Writing in the Nine press — the epicentre of Richo hostility — Mr Cavalier argued Richardson was more follower than leader when it came to the internal votes that made and broke Labor leaders.

“Richardson was good at mustering a herd others had assembled, sometimes including him as one among many,” he wrote today.

A tougher article in the Sydney Morning Herald a few days after Richardson’s death bluntly accused the former cabinet minister of corruption. The post-mortem timing shielded the paper from any defamation risk.

Boldfaced names

For numbers men, notoriety is an occupational cost. It didn’t prevent a display of institutional support from the right at St James church, which Richardson’s widow switched to after the Catholics refused to budge on their requirement for a religious-heavy state funeral.

The boldfaced names were led by Tony Abbott. The ex-Liberal leader was characteristically generous to his opponents lining the pews. “There is only one NSW right,” he told the congregation. “Most are in the Labor Party but some are in the Liberal Party too.”

Those listening included former premier Bob Carr, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon, former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, Nationals senator Matt Canavan, former treasurer Joe Hockey, former broadcaster Alan Jones, billionaire Ros Packer, surgeon Charlie Teo and former Australian Olympics head John Coates. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles sent a video recording.

Notable absentees included Governor-General Sam Mostyn (appointed by the Labor left), NSW Premier Chris Minns (who is from the Richardson’s faction) and Liberal leader Sussan Ley (who has been criticised by Sky News, Richardson’s home broadcaster).

The only politician who seemed out of place was the Prime Minister, who has dedicated his life to wresting power from men like Richardson.

Eulogies are not for score settling, and Anthony Albanese praised Richardson for his political prescience. Mr Albanese chose to share an anecdote that made them both look good. Richardson told him before this year’s election, “you’re going to romp it in, Son,” he said.

Another funeral

Amid the celebrations of political victories, the service could have been a funeral for the Labor right. Bill Shorten’s failure as leader allowed the left to take over the parliamentary party. With its preference for welfare over enterprise, the Albanese Government more resembles Gough Whitlam’s than Bob Hawke’s or Mr Keating’s.

Mr Carr, who enjoyed 10 years as premier and a year and a half as foreign minister thanks to the right, now favours China over the US and the Palestinians over Israel. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is overseeing a government expansion that has blown out the budget. Business is being used to fund the state rather than make Australians richer.

In a way, the party’s shift was reflected in Richardson’s post-politics media career. As it went left, Richardson came to be celebrated by the conservative forces he once fought. After leaving the Senate he joined Kerry Packer’s Nine, moved to Seven and ended up at Sky, the conservative television network controlled by Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch.

One Murdoch newspaper editor carried his coffin. Another Murdoch executive gave one of the 10 speeches. Sky broadcast the funeral live. The ABC didn’t.

“People say he forgot the Labor Party,” his widow, Amanda Richardson, said. “He loved the Labor Party more than anything, ever.”

Two notable missing figures were the children of Richardson’s first marriage, lawyers Matthew Richardson and Kate Ausden. Both are reportedly estranged from their father, for reasons unclear, and were not seen in church.

Few things are sadder than a broken family. Whatever happened in his past, Richardson’s relationship with his second wife and son D’Arcy was solid. The 18-year-old gave a eulogy worthy of a good politician, delivering insights personal enough to be interesting without revealing anything that might embarrass the family name.

At the end, the old factional warrior was not ready to die. Life had been good to him, and he wanted more.

“I’m not ready to go yet,” he told Amanda.