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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

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John Laws on a Harley

1994 (printed 2012)
Jim Rolon

type C photograph on paper (sheet: 27.9 cm x 35.5 cm, image: 23.2 cm x 22.9 cm)
Image not available (NC)

John Laws CBE (b. 1935), radio talkback commentator, broadcast to 65 stations around Australia on Sydney’s 2UE and other channels between 1957 and 2007. Credited as the media personality with most influence on Australian politics, he hosted three national television series, wrote for three Sydney newspapers, recorded several country music albums, and published four books, including the John Laws Book of Uncommon Sense and the John Laws Barbecue Cookbook. In 1999 Laws was the subject of scrutiny in the ‘cash for comment’ enquiry into public broadcasting, which sparked widespread discussion on the influence of the media on consumer choices. Laws retired from radio in 2007, but has since returned to the air on 2SM.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.
2012.122
Currently not on display
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Artist and subject

Jim Rolon (age 38 in 1994)

John Laws CBE OBE (age 59 in 1994)

Subject professions

Media and communications

Supported by

Wayne Williams (30 portraits supported)

Related portraits

John Laws
1. John Laws, 1981. All John Williams.

Related information

The companion
The companion
The companion
The companion

The Companion

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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