John Laws

John Laws is Australia's most successful and influential broadcaster. He was born in Wau, New Guinea, on August 8, 1935 and educated at Mosman Preparatory School and Knox Grammar School, Sydney. Every day he broadcasts on a network of over 60 stations that cover every state and territory across Australia reaching over 2 million people. For virtually all of the 51 years he has worked in radio, John Laws has been the undisputed king of Australia's talk back airwaves and has remained at the top of the ratings. Since his career began as an 18 year old announcer on 3BO in Bendigo in 1953 - he has won more radio awards of excellence than any other Australian broadcaster. John Laws has worked at several country radio stations prior to joining 2UE in 1957, the first of four terms at Sydney's top rating radio station. It was the move to 2UE which kick started his career. When his first stint at 2UE ended in 1959, John joined 2SM for a short period before moving to the Hunter Valley where he bought a farm. For several years he broadcast a syndicated Australia wide program for the Newcastle station 2KO. In 1962 he moved back to Sydney where he joined 2GB. Two years later he rejoined 2UE and remained with the station for five years. In 1969 he became a member of 2UW's line up, an association which lasted for a decade. 2UE lured him back in 1979, this time for another five years. Then he switched to 2GB again when the station made a highly publicized, all out bid for his services. He returned to the 2UE fold when the station was in No 8 position. Since his return in 1988, he and the station have been consistently at the top of the ratings ladder. At John Laws 40th anniversary dinner, former Prime Minister Paul Keating handed John the ultimate compliment, hailing him as "the broadcaster of the century". John Laws has also been extremely prominent in other areas of the Australian media. John has hosted four national television series, written a column for Sydney's Sunday Telegraph and has written several best selling books. In 1998, he joined Australia's leading cable television company, Foxtel with his own nightly talk show entitled Laws. He is known for his passionate interest in motor sports, motor cycling, writing, reading, tennis, rural pursuits, photography, antique furniture, works of art and sculpture, timepieces and first collector's editions of books.