Veteran Australian Radio Host John Laws Dies Aged 90
Sydney, Australia – John Laws, a towering figure in Australian talkback radio renowned for his direct style and decades-long career, has died at his home in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, aged 90. His passing marks the end of an era for Australian media, leaving a void in the landscape of broadcast journalism and entertainment.
Laws spent over seven decades captivating audiences with a unique blend of entertainment, facts, and opinion, delivered in a voice instantly recognizable across the nation. born in New Guinea on August 8, 1935, he migrated to Australia with his family as a schoolboy and began his radio career in bendigo in 1953.
Throughout his career, laws held positions at numerous stations including 2UE (across four separate stints beginning in 1957), 2GB, 2UW, and 2SM, as well as brief periods with Network Ten and Foxtel. He became known for his willingness to tackle controversial issues and offer unfiltered commentary,earning both devoted listeners and occasional criticism. At the peak of his career, Laws was reportedly the best-paid radio broadcaster in the world, a testament to his widespread popularity.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Laws, stating he was ”an iconic voice and so much more.” He continued,”Generations of Australians trusted and respected him for telling it straight,digging deep and giving his guests and his listeners a chance to be heard… John was always a thoroughly prepared and thoughtful interviewer – and wonderful company off-air.”
fellow broadcaster Kyle Sandilands described Laws as “one of the true originals,” adding, “You could never mistake him for anyone else. He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required.” Sandilands expressed devastation at the loss of a “mentor and a mate,” predicting that “Radio won’t be the same without him.”
Laws’ career wasn’t without controversy. In 1999, he was embroiled in the ”cash-for-comment” scandal alongside alan Jones, facing accusations of accepting payments for favorable on-air endorsements. Both broadcasters denied any wrongdoing.
NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged Laws as a “towering figure” whose voice “resonated across the nation for more than seven decades,” adding that few broadcasters have left “such a deep and lasting mark on Australian media.”
Laws spent two weeks in hospital in October before passing away at home. His legacy as a pioneering and influential voice in Australian radio will endure.
