Australia Holds State Funeral for Broadcaster Derryn Hinch

The Victorian government hosted a state funeral for Derryn Hinch on July 20, 2026, at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne. Hinch, a veteran broadcaster and former senator known as the human headline, died in his sleep on July 10 at age 82 due to complications from a fall.

The service featured tributes from media colleagues and political leaders, including broadcaster Darren James and journalist Ray Martin. Speakers highlighted Hinch's four-decade career as a foreign correspondent in New York and Toronto, editor of The Sun, and host on 3AW. They remembered him as a provocative personality and a relentless advocate for victims of abuse.

In addition to his media career, the service noted Hinch's political tenure as a senator for Victoria from 2016 to 2019. He founded the Derryn Hinch Justice Party to campaign for stricter sentencing for violent and sexual offenders. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan issued tributes praising his courage and commitment to justice. In accordance with the family's wishes, donations were requested for the children's charity Variety in lieu of flowers.