John Laws, the iconic Australian talkback radio broadcaster known as 'the Golden Tonsils', has died at the age of 90. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, a year after retiring from a career spanning more than seven decades.
Laws attracted up to 2 million listeners at the height of his popularity and was inducted into the Australian Radio Hall of Fame in 2003, later receiving an ARIA lifetime achievement award in 2008. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute, describing Laws as 'an iconic voice and so much more' who was 'thoroughly prepared and thoughtful'.
Born in New Guinea on 8 August 1935, Laws began his radio career in Bendigo in 1953. He had multiple stints at Sydney station 2UE, starting in 1957, and also worked for 2GB, 2UW, 2SM, Network Ten and Foxtel. His unique blend of entertainment, information and opinion made him one of Australia's most recognised voices.
Laws was not without controversy, notably the 1999 'cash-for-comment' scandal alongside fellow broadcaster Alan Jones. The Australian Broadcasting Authority found they had committed 90 breaches of the industry code, involving an estimated $18 million in deals. Both denied wrongdoing.
Fellow broadcaster Kyle Sandilands called Laws 'one of the true originals', adding: 'I'm devastated to have lost a mentor and a mate.' NSW Premier Chris Minns said Laws was a 'towering figure in Australian radio' whose voice resonated for decades.
