She was a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 2006 until her death in 2017, representing the electorate of Northcote.

Richardson was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania[1] and was educated at Methodist Ladies College, Kew and the University of Melbourne, where she graduated in 1989 majoring in politics and psychology.

[2] Richardson joined the Australian Labor Party in 1991, and was an adviser to numerous state and federal members of parliament.

Richardson was seen as a key player in protecting husband Stephen Newnham as state secretary during a debilitating struggle within the Right faction over control of ALP head office during 2008 and 2009.

[7] Richardson oversaw the establishment of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence in 2015, which tabled its report to Parliament in 2016.