13m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:16am
Reverend’s tribute to Laws
Reverend Jonathan Adams is sharing some insights on his time with the late broadcaster, joking that Laws once quipped that Jesus “was a good bloke”.
“Surprisingly for a man who had a chauffeur, he spoke as an ordinary Australian to ordinary Australians,” Reverend Adams said.
“John Laws was extraordinary, but especially in the way that he spoke ordinary.”
23m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:06am
‘Be kind to each other’: Crowe’s nod
Laws signed off every show by telling his loyal listeners to “be kind to each other”.
In his eulogy, Russell Crowe gave a nod to his friend’s signature mantra.
“One of the things I’ve learned over time … is kindness is wisdom, kindness is strength, acts of kindness are proof of intelligence.
“John Laws … was a very kind man.”
25m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 3:04am
John Williamson begins rendition of True Blue
Country music and folk singer John Williamson is performing a rendition of his classic True Blue.
“I promised him [Laws] this and it’s a great honour,” Williamson said.
John Williamson performing at Laws’s funeral. (ABC News)29m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:59amRussell Crowe speaks
Actor Russell Crowe has begun his eulogy.
“A long, long time ago, John asked me if I would speak at his funeral,” Crowe said.
“I said yes, and then he just kept on living. Year after year after year.
I mean, he lived so long that I thought at one point I might have lost the gig.”
Russell Crowe giving his eulogy to John Laws. (ABC News)
Crowe joked his eulogy was “just like ‘cash for comments’ but less obvious” and referred to Laws as his “mischievous mate”.
“I can probably quite confidently say that we hardly ever agreed on anything, from bike lanes to politics,” he said.
“We were quite often on opposite sides of any issue.
“However, we did agree that we liked each other’s company and differing perspectives never stopped us from making each other laugh.”
32m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:57am
Russell Crowe among famous mourners
39m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:50am
Poet, promoter and salesman
Laws’s close friend Paul Warren has started off the eulogies.
Speaking of their 55-year friendship Mr Warren said Laws could do “absolutely anything”.
“He could sell anything from Valvoline to Toyotas,” Warren said.
“Beyond that, he was a poet, a passionate music promoter, proving time and time again that there was very little he couldn’t do and do extremely well.”
Mr Warren signed off in typical Laws fashion.
“He always ended his show with: ‘You be kind to each other’, so I feel it’s right to finish with the same message today,” he said.
“John, thank you for being kind to us, your family, your friends and all the people who lives you touched.”
46m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:42am
Pictures from inside the cathedral
We’ve just received images from inside the cathedral, where Laws’s casket has been carried in.
If you take a closer look there’s a touching tribute to the man with the ‘golden mic’.
Displayed at the front is the Order of the British (OBE) medal presented to Laws in 1974 for his services to broadcasting and charity.
The coffin and a golden microphone during a state funeral service. (AAP: James Brickwood)47m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:41amFuneral now under way
The service has started, opening with El Presidente by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, the iconic opening theme to John Laws’s radio show.
58m agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:30amJohn Howard arrives
Former prime minister John Howard has arrived for the service.
Mr Howard said John Laws’s death was a “big loss”.
“Australia’s produced some great broadcasters. He was top of the box,” Mr Howard said.
John Howard, outside St Andrew’s Cathedral for John Laws’s funeral. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:21am
Scandals and controversies
Despite his ability to hold and grow a loyal audience, Laws was not free of controversy.
In 1999, he was named as a key player in the “cash-for-comment” inquiry.
Laws had always disputed the findings, maintaining “nobody received cash” for his opinions.
In 2004, he found himself in hot water after a tribunal found comments he made on air were capable of inciting severe ridicule of gay men.
After an out-of-court settlement, Laws and fellow 2UE presenter Steve Price issued an apology and agreed to make a $10,000 donation to a HIV-AIDS charity.
Read more about his life and career:
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:20am
MPs, broadcast stars arrive
2GB host Ben Fordham. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Among the high-profile guests who’ve already arrived are 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham and veteran entertainment journalist Richard Wilkins.
Broadcaster Richard Wilkins arrives for the funeral. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Nationals MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has also just arrived, and paid tribute to Laws’s common touch with the Australian public.
Former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
“He gave a voice to people, he gave people hope that they would be listened to,” Joyce said.
“The job of the fourth estate is to stand up against [the] powerful, and I think that’s what he did.
“He allowed people to have their views.”
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:15am
The man with a gold mic
Here’s a throwback of Laws being presented with his golden microphone after signing off on his final show on 2UE in 2007 following 55 years on the air.
But his retirement was short-lived and he’d be back on the airwaves, this time with 2SM, for another 13 years.
He hung up his headphones for good last year, announcing his retirement for a second time on November 8.
Laws accepting his Golden Microphone from 2UE in 2007. (AAP: Tracey Nearmy)
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:12am
The John Laws ‘sitcom’
From behind his golden microphone there was never a dull moment while working for John Laws.
Here’s the ABC’s Murray Olds reliving some of his days working for the broadcaster:
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1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 2:10am
Big names to send off John Laws
Some of the most iconic figures in Australian culture are set to a be a big part of the proceedings today.
Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe is set to give a eulogy while singer John Williamson will perform True Blue.
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 1:54am
From the airwaves to political influence
Laws’s influence on politics made him equally well respected yet feared by politicians.
When Australians went to the polls in 1983, the election was famously dubbed the “John Laws election”, through his interviews with federal and state leaders.
In fact, during his tenure he interviewed 17 prime ministers.
In 2017, Laws told the ABC the PM he admired most was John Howard.
“[And] maybe the one that I’ve liked the most was Paul Keating,” he added.
“He was a good bloke to have a bit of fun with, a bit outrageous.”
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 1:54am
Laws always knew how to hold an audience
Known for his “golden tonsils”, John Laws could always keep an audience hooked.
Those skills were on show during a 2012 appearance on 7.30 when he went on to ask then-host Leigh Sales “did you you enjoy it?”
Read the full story here:
1h agoWed 19 Nov 2025 at 1:47am
Welcome to our special coverage
Good afternoon and thank you for joining us for the state funeral of John Laws.
I’m Miriah and I’ll be posting live updates of today’s memorial service alongside my colleague Anton.
We’ll also be taking a look back at the remarkable and colourful legacy of Laws’s broadcasting career.
Mourners are gathering at St Andrew’s Cathedral at Town Hall, doors opened at 12:30pm AEDT and the service will begin at 1:30pm.