NSW Government Reintroduces JobKeeper For Harbourside Restaurants Following The Deaths Of Lawsie And Richo

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Sydney's high-end harbourside restaurants are in crisis this week, after losing two pioneers of the long lunch.

This comes as veteran talkback radio host John Laws died yesterday afternoon, aged 90. Nicknamed the "Golden Tonsils" - he was one of Australia's most recognisable voices on the airways for 70 years.

Known for his 'common sense' approach to news and politics, and his more gentler handling of hot button issues compared to that of his reactionary shock-jock rivals, 'Lawsie' was an icon to the working man and a hero to generations of media pundits that followed in his footsteps.

His death coincides with that of his political contemporary, Labor powerbroker turned pundit Graham Richardson who also passed over the weekend, aged 76.

The Prime Minister has led tributes to 'Richo' - who was the key federal factional leader in the Hawke-Keating years, and was the mastermind behind the multiple long-term ALP governments at both a NSW state and federal level.

Both men were known to enjoy a good glass of red and a medium rare steak over enthusiastic conversation - often with one another.

Their deaths leave a roaring vacuum in the Sydney hospitality sector, with NSW Premier Minns quick to offer relief packages to the restauranteurs who are now struggling to make up for the loss multiple afternoon bookings each week.

Premier Minns says in the modern media world, the likes of John Laws are greatly missed.

"They don't make em like Lawsie anymore" said the Premier.

"His death is felt by not just Sydney's high-end restaurants, but also the entire political system that is now beholden to a fractured media landscape dominated by uninformed voices"

"One thing these podcasters and influencers don't get is, that in order to be a decent broadcaster, you must do 30 hours on Woolloomooloo wharves each week.

The Premier also had kind words for Graham Richardson, who he says was also a pillar of income for the Harbour City's fine dining industry.

"Richo told me personally that I would be Premier one day, over prawns and a couple bottles of Koonunga Hill, at one of these very restaurants"

"So, in memory of these men. We will be introducing a JobKeeper style program to keep these industries afloat until they fill the monumental void left behind"

"I hope they serve stir fried wagyu scotch fillet with soy bean in heaven"