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Australian radio legend John Laws dies at 90
John Laws, the iconic Australian talkback radio host known for his distinctive voice and seven-decade career, has died at age 90, his family announced Sunday. The veteran broadcaster, once among the world's highest-paid radio personalities, passed away peacefully at his Sydney home.
A towering figure in Australian media
Laws' career spanned over 70 years, during which he interviewed 17 Australian prime ministers and countless global celebrities. At his peak in the 1990s, his morning show drew two million listeners, opening with his signature greeting, "Hello world." His influence extended beyond entertainment, shaping political discourse-former Prime Minister Paul Keating once remarked that convincing Laws was akin to convincing Australia itself.
Born in Papua New Guinea in 1935, Laws began his radio career in 1953 at age 18 in regional Victoria. He became a pioneer of talkback radio as new laws allowed live caller interactions, dominating the medium for decades. His reach was particularly strong in rural New South Wales, where his shows were syndicated nationally.
Tributes pour in from political and entertainment figures
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Laws an "iconic voice," while actor Russell Crowe, a neighbor for over 20 years, remembered him as a "mischievous mate" who "worked hard, played harder, and loved completely." Former Prime Minister John Howard described Laws as "a dominating presence on Sydney and national radio."
"A legend, in the very best, most Australian, sense of the word. I loved him and I'll never forget him."
Russell Crowe, actor and longtime neighbor
A career marked by controversy
Laws' legacy was not without scandal. In the 1990s, he and rival Alan Jones were ensnared in the "cash-for-comment" affair, failing to disclose payments for on-air endorsements. In 2000, he was found guilty of contempt of court for interviewing a juror post-trial, receiving a suspended sentence. Later controversies included breaches of anti-vilification laws for derogatory remarks about a gay couple and a 2021 incident where he told a listener to "say something constructive, like you're going to kill yourself."
Despite the controversies, Laws remained a polarizing yet enduring figure. His final 13-year stint at 2SM followed tenures at Sydney stations 2UE and 2GB, where his blunt style garnered both devotion and criticism. In 2003, 2UE honored his 50-year career with a gold-plated microphone-later stolen-symbolizing his outsized impact.
Honors and a state funeral offer
Laws' contributions earned him inductions into the Australian Media Hall of Fame and the Order of the British Empire (OBE), later upgraded to Commander (CBE). New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced the family would be offered a state funeral.
His family's statement reflected on his dual life: "While fame and prominence had become a mainstay of his life, for us he was always the person who meant so much, away from the microphone, the cameras, and the headlines."
Beyond radio: Television and film
Laws also ventured into television as a host and panellist, and briefly into film, appearing in the 1970 movie Ned Kelly alongside Mick Jagger. His retirement in November 2024 marked the end of an era for Australian broadcasting.
