88/07
Monday June 25 2007

Retirement of John Laws

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan today congratulated John Laws for over 50 years of broadcasting in Australia.

“It is with sad disappointment that I heard Mr Laws announce this morning that he will retire later this year after 54 years on the airwaves.

“He is a great talent and fifty years in any profession is an achievement but to stay at the top in the cutthroat world of media is testimony to his canny ability to read the Australian people and be a voice for their issues.

“When he eventually turns off his microphone later this year, there is no doubt he will be missed in so many lounge rooms, offices, taxicabs and shearing sheds across the country,” Senator Coonan said.

“John Laws has a become part of the Australian media landscape and as indeed ‘I heard it on Lawsy’ has become part of our lexicon.

“One of his greatest achievements is that so many Australians see him as part of their every day, a morning routine as entrenched as reading the paper or walking the dog.

“Mr Laws has been a passionate advocate for a myriad of community causes and his willingness to take on board their issues is part of the reason he has been so warmly welcomed into homes across Australia over the past 50 years.

Mr Laws currently broadcasts to 71 radio stations across Australia through Southern Cross Broadcasting.

“Mr Laws has left an indelible mark on Australian broadcasting.

“When the ‘Golden Tonsils’ with a big heart retires later this year his many listeners, friends and colleagues will all be sad to see him go and as we all recognise with poignancy today, it will be the end of a broadcasting era in Australia,” Senator Coonan said.