True believer. Machine man. Political fixer. Factional hack. Labor giant. “Minister for kneecaps”. Legend.

Graham Richardson, who died on Saturday morning aged 76, could be any one of these things, depending on who you talk to — or most of those things, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

In a statement on Richardson’s passing, Albanese acknowledged that Richardson was “often colourful, and sometimes controversial”.

But Albanese emphasised Richardson’s sense of service, which he said was “underpinned by his powerful blend of passion and pragmatism”.

He credited Richardson for saving the rainforests of the Wet Tropics in far north Queensland, including the Daintree, during his tenure as environment minister in Bob Hawke’s government.

He was backed up by Greens founder Bob Brown, who said the former Labor senator’s harnessing of the environment movement was key to the Hawke government’s longevity.

“Richo had a rare insight into Australians’ love for wildlife and an even rarer ability to harness that devotion into a winning political strategy,” Brown said.

Praise for Richardson extended across politics, despite his reputation for ruthlessness. His autobiography was named after his self-professed approach to politics: Whatever it Takes.

In a piece for The Conversation, historian Frank Bongiorno said “as an account of his controversial career, there were more holes in Richardson’s book than a slice of Swiss cheese”.

But despite the book’s defence of lying as part of the game of politics, opponents praised Richardson as a straight shooter.

Former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg described him as a “fiercely loyal Labor man who was not afraid to make friends across the political aisle”.

He forged a successful post-politics career as a broadcaster and commentator.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott wrote on X that he was “grateful for a friendship that blossomed after he began his media work”.

“He played his politics hard but at least in later years fair as well.”

-AAP