John Tingle, the father of prominent Aussie media personality Laura, died on Friday aged 90, his daughter revealed in a social media post.
Tingle, who worked as a broadcaster for more than 50 years, was remembered as an ‘excellent journalist’.
Ms Tingle, the chief political correspondent for ABC’s 7.30 program, took to Twitter on Saturday to announce her father’s passing.
‘John Saxon Tingle, November 2 1931 – August 5 2022, Love you Dadda,’ her tweet read.
John Tingle, who died at the age of 90 on Friday, with his daughter Laura, ABC 7.30’s chief political correspondent
Laura Tingle took to social media to announce that her father, John Tingle (pictured), a former leading radio presenter, had died on Friday
John Tingle (pictured in 1985 celebrating a move to the afternoon slot at 2GB) worked as a broadcaster for more than 50 years
Social media users were quick to offer condolences to Ms Tingle, commenting on how proud he must have been of his famous daughter and recalling memories of listening to him when he was one of Sydney’s major talkback hosts.
‘I remember his excellent journalism. Vale,’ said one.
‘He has a lovely, kind face. My Dadda was born in 1929, so similar age. I hope his life was full of joy,’ one supporter said.
Mr Tingle (pictured, with former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, right, in 1984) worked at 2GB during the 1980s and ’90s
Tingle was born in Edgecliff in 1931 and became a journalist at the ABC 20 years later, at one point becoming chief of staff of the ABC News Service.
He ventured into commercial radio in 1969, going onto work for 2UE, 2SM in Sydney, 3AW in Melbourne and 4BK in Brisbane, before returning to Sydney to work at 2GB and 2CH.
In 1992, Tingle entered politics when founded the Australian Shooters Party in opposition to tighter NSW gun laws, saying he represented responsible gun owners who posed no threat to anyone.
He was also a notable opponent of former Prime Minister John Howard’s gun reforms after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, where 35 people lost their lives.
John Tingle (pictured in 1987) said he was a ‘journalist, not a politician’ after he had served 11 years in the NSW upper house
He went on to serve 11 years in the NSW upper house until he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005, which sparked his resignation from the party the following year.
‘What I’m trying to do is get my life back’, he told Port Macquarie News.
‘I had 46 years and three days in the media before this and I really thought I knew parliament because I had covered it … but it’s been more than a steep learning curve, it’s been a steep, vertical climb.
‘I won’t forget in a hurry, it’s been torturous at times … I’m a journalist not a politician.
A father to Peter, Laura and Sally, Tingle enjoyed photography, classical and jazz music and shooting during his life.
Mr Tingle ventured into politics in 1992, founding the Australian Shooters Party in opposition to tighter gun laws in NSW and saying he represented gun owners who did not pose a threat to anyone (pictured in a Sydney gun shop in 1992)
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