Tuesday, 7 February 2023

 Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (16:00): I rise today to speak to the sad and recent passing of Labor comrade and union official Paul Richardson. Paul began his work in union life as a 23-year-old kid at the federated storemen and packers in 1988. He had a stellar 34-year career as an official. He was instrumental to what later became the National Union of Workers and more lately the United Workers Union. I came to know Paul, aka ‘Richo’ to some, ‘Grumpy’ to others, when I started work in the NUW office in 2003. He was as outstanding an advocate for working people back then as he was to the day he died. I was a recent graduate lawyer from private practice at that time and one whose knowledge of industrial relations was virtually non-existent, and I am pretty sure he took some pleasure, particularly in the early days, in him being right and me not even knowing if that was the case or not.

Like many union officials, Paul liked a good blue. He loved the theatre that came with having a verbal stoush, whether it was with the boss or with another official, quite often in the middle of the office. His arguments would be well reasoned but always about the issue and not the individual. I know of some bosses of multinational companies who could not quite believe after the fact what they had agreed to with Paul. He was persuasive, but he took members with him too. His intellect was sharp, as dry as his humour could be. He was very well read, forensic in his analysis of all things, had a great work ethic but was a deeply private individual. He is greatly missed. Deepest sympathies to Susie, Katya and his family. Vale, Paul Richardson.