John Laws, one of Australia’s most recognizable voices and a pioneer in radio talkback, has passed away peacefully at the age of 90. Early life Laws was born on 8 August 1935, in the gold mining town of Wau, Papua New Guinea. As a result, in 1953 he began an extraordinary radio career in Bendigo. On the scale of what he’d accomplished, no one touched his level of mastery. With an audience of around two million listeners each morning, he attracted a wide base eager to listen to his outspoken perspective.
Laws developed a remarkable career in radio that spanned over four decades. He worked at many of the major Sydney commercial stations, including 2UE, 2GB, 2UW and 2SM. Known colloquially as “Golden Tonsils”, he transformed from a simple broadcaster into an essential pillar of Australian culture. It was his ability to engage the everyday listener that delivered him to Australian households, winning hearts particularly with audiences in rural New South Wales.
His career was not without controversy. Almost as notorious as his politics is his role in the 1999 cash-for-comment scandal, alongside fellow shockjock Alan Jones. This engagement raised important and profound issues related to the ethics of radio commentary. Even through these hurdles, Laws stood firm. He stood his ground and went on to become, at one point, the highest-paid radio broadcaster in the world.
Laws’ blunt honesty often got him into trouble. In one particularly atrocious example, in 2013 he asked a woman who had been raped as a child if she thought it was her fault. Two years later, he dismissed a male victim as a “wet blanket,” saying he needed to “cheer up.” While these examples led to outrage, they drew attention to his refreshing lack of political correctness and traditional broadcasting norms.
Kyle Sandilands, a contemporary radio personality, reflected on Laws’ complex persona, saying, “You could never mistake him for anyone else. He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could show deep compassion when required.” This duality would come to exemplify Laws’ legacy, as he tempered his fiery rhetoric with pragmatism and compassion.
Laws’ impact extended beyond his on-air antics. Through that work, he carved an incredibly deep bond with his audience, one showcased by the massive, worldwide tributes that poured in after his death. NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged Laws’ influence, stating, “His legacy lies not only in the thousands of hours on air but in the connection he forged with millions of Australians. Vale John Laws.”
Actor Russell Crowe paid tribute to the radio icon, stating, “He worked hard, played harder and loved completely. A legend, in the very best, most Australian, sense of the word. I loved him and I’ll never forget him. Vale John Laws.”
Fairly or unfairly, throughout his career, Laws walked the line between uncelebrated praise and uncelebrated criticism. He was known for his sharp wit and strong opinions, famously labeling critics like David Flint as a “posturing, pretentious, pusillanimous effete professor” and referring to Alan Jones as “a vicious old tart.” These colorful descriptors reflected his bold personality.
Beyond his broadcasting success, Laws was a real estate mogul who made a pretty impressive pivot. In 2004, he purchased a large Velvet Lounge styled pad on Woolloomooloo Wharf for $15 million. This acquisition solidified his continued success and standing to be the top dog in the industry.
As news of his death spread, many remembered him not just for his controversies but for the countless hours he spent engaging with Australians across the nation. His legacy lives on amongst those he connected with and conversations he provoked.
