Former Labor senator, party powerbroker and media commentator Graham Richardson has died at the age of 76.

The former senator died at 3.50am, from influenza and pneumonia., his wife told Ben Fordham on 2GB.

"Darcy and Amanda have asked me to share the news with everyone that, sadly, Richo has passed away in the early hours of this morning," Fordham said.

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https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/rip-richo-labor-legend-graham-richardson-dies-aged-76/embed

"In the past few weeks, he's had a bout of influenza and then pneumonia, he also had a little stint on dialysis, trying to clean up his blood a little bit."

Fordham said he lived long enough to see his son mark a milestone.

"When he had his big health challenge, he said to his wife Amanda, 'I'm going to live till I see Darcy finish exams and his HSC'. Darcy did his last HSC exam on Thursday, which was his French exam. And Richo's died this morning," Fordham said.

In 2017, Richardson told 60 Minutes that he hoped his son would become Prime Minister one day.

"I want him to be Prime Minister. If I hang around long enough, I reckon I could manage it," he said

"I could get him there."

Richardson served as New South Wales senator in federal parliament between 1983 and 1994.

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When he first arrived in parliament, he was the youngest elected senator at the time, at the age of just 33.

He served as a cabinet minister under prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating for a range of positions, including social security, transport and communications, health and the environment.

In 1999, Richardson was diagnosed with a chondrosarcoma, a rare and usually lethal bone cancer in his pelvis.

For over two decades, he underwent multiple surgeries to remove tumours but remained active in politics.

As a political commentator, he appeared on election night coverage and hosted his Richo until 2021, an evening commentary program.

He also appeared on Richo + Jones, a joint show with former broadcaster Alan Jones. 

In a post this morning, former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg described Richardson as a "fiercely loyal Labor man who was not afraid to make friends across the political aisle."

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A Sydney man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer. 

The 20-year-old is accused of launching at officers and stabbing a constable with a sword during what was meant to be a routine welfare check.

Police arrived at the property on Werombi Road at Grasmere, where it is alleged Andrea Surace threw a spear at and stabbed a 28-year-old probationary constable with a 50-centimetre long sword.

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Despite his injuries the officer managed to keep the man down before the 20-year-old was tasered and arrested.

The constable from Camden was treated at the scene for a 20-centimetre long cut to his leg and was airlifted to Liverpool hospital.

The probationary constable has undergone surgery today for the stab wound.

NSW Police superintendent Paul Condon praised the actions of police in the "confronting" situation.

"Their actions and bravery and courage and the maturity of these people have shown as junior police officers is amazing," Condon said.

Andrea Surace was taken into custody while a knife, a hatchet and spear were also allegedly seized from the family home. 

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Surace was charged with multiple offences including two counts of attempted murder, four counts of wounding a person with intent to resist/prevent arrest, wounding a police officer in the execution of duty as to actual bodily harm.

The 20-year-old is set to front Parramatta Local Court tomorrow.

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Wild weather has lashed Melbourne on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Raincoats and umbrellas were the accessory of the day for racegoers who braved the spring soaking.

The 65,000-strong crowd at Flemington were hit with sideways rain, strong winds and a downpour for Stakes Day.

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The temperature dropped to 10 degrees with a 'feels like' temperature just shy of six degrees across the day.

It was a dramatic contrast to yesterday's weather, which was a maximum of 28 degrees with a "feels like" temperature of about 25 degrees.

Today's showers are expected to continue in the Victorian capital until Tuesday but temperatures will rise slightly.

The mercury will climb to 15 degrees for Sunday, warm up to 20 degrees on Monday before the forecast dips back to 15 degrees on Tuesday.

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Meanwhile the heat is peaking in eastern parts of NSW, with temperatures expected to reach at 36 degrees in Penrith and 33 degrees in Sydney.

Nowra on the state's south coast and Dubbo in the central west could reach a top of 33 degrees.

Weatherzone predicts many locations lose at least 10 degrees for their Sunday maximums.

Large hail stones and damaging winds could affect parts of these communities this afternoon.

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Emergency crews were called to the Wellington Street blaze just after 6am.

Tonight’s $40m jackpot is the biggest Powerball prize in more than a year.

The concert was set to be his first-ever show in New Zealand.

A judge has nixed Mormon Fa’alogo’s miscarriage of justice claim.

Six brigades and a command unit are working to contain the forest fire.

One worker grabbed a large lawnmower blade to confront alleged attackers as customers hid.

Batches of alfalfa sprouts sold at supermarkets nationally have been taken off the shelves due to fears they could give customers salmonella after dozens of people became ill.

The recall follows a joint investigation by health and food regulatory authorities into an increase in an unusual type of salmonella infection.

Company Parilla Fresh said it has voluntarily recalled the product while the investigation continues and more tests are done.

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As part of the ongoing investigation, health authorities say at least 44 people nationwide have the unusual strain of salmonella, including 18 people in NSW.

NSW Health One Health Branch director Keira Glasgow said shoppers should check their fridge and don't eat the salad.

"There is a risk that if these affected alfalfa sprouts are consumed you could become ill," Glasgow said.

Varieties affected are: Aussie Sprouts Alfalfa Sprouts 125g, Hugo's Alfalfa Onion & Garlic Sprouts 125g, Hugo's Alfalfa Radish Sprouts 125g, Hugo's Alfalfa & Onion Sprouts 125g, Hugo's Salad Sprouts 125g, Hugo's Alfalfa & Broccoli Sprouts 125g and Hugo's Trio Sprouts Selection 125g.

They have use by dates up to and including 20/11/25.

The products have been sold at Woolworths and Coles in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Independent grocers including IGA in NSW; Harris Farm in NSW, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria; Sydney Markets in NSW and Melbourne Markets in Victoria have also sold them,

"Anyone who has consumed alfalfa sprouts should be on the lookout for symptoms, which include: headache; fever; stomach cramps; diarrhoea; nausea; and vomiting," Glasgow said.

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Symptoms usually start six to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria and usually last for four to seven days but they can sometimes last a lot longer.

"Most people recover within a week by having lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids such as water or oral hydration drinks from a pharmacy," Glasgow said.

"While anyone can gets almonella infection, infants, the elderly and people with poor immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.

"These people may need antibiotics from their doctor or, in more severe cases, hospitalisation."

Consumers should return the product to the where they bought it for a full refund.

You should contact your doctor if symptoms last longer than a few days, diarrhoea is severe or bloody, you are at risk for severe salmonella (young children, older people, and people with poor immune systems) or you are worried.

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