John Laws, the iconic Australian talkback radio host known as 'Golden Tonsils', has died at the age of 90. His family announced on Sunday that he passed away peacefully at his home in Woolloomooloo, Sydney.
Laws spent 71 years on air, beginning his career in 1953 at 3BO in Bendigo. He became a household name at stations like Sydney's 2UE and 2SM, retiring in November last year. Over his career, he also did voice-over work, recorded singles, and appeared on television as a host and panelist.
In 1974, Laws received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to broadcasting and charity, upgraded to a CBE in 1978. He interviewed 17 prime ministers and was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.
Tributes poured in from colleagues and politicians. Radio host Kyle Sandilands called Laws 'one of the true originals' and a mentor. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted his 'iconic voice', while NSW Premier Chris Minns described his career as 'extraordinary'. Former prime minister John Howard noted Laws was 'a dominating presence on Sydney and national radio'.
Laws' career was not without controversy. In 1999, a 'cash-for-comment' inquiry found he failed to disclose sponsorship agreements. That year, he was also found guilty of contempt of court for soliciting information from a juror. In 2004, a tribunal ruled his comments on 2UE were capable of inciting ridicule of gay men.
