Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham

It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of my fellow Senator for South Australia, Alex Gallacher.

We were colleagues in the Senate for over a decade and from his first speech Alex remained loyal to his word and strived to be true to his Labor values.

Alex was proudly of the old school Labor mould. He was a labourer, truck driver and airline ground crew worker, prior to becoming a union rep. Alex ultimately went on to provide organisational leadership to the Transport Workers’ Union (SA/NT), as well as serving as a Commissioner for the National Road Transport Commission and as a Director of the South Australian Motor Accident Commission.

He took his love for the transport sector into the Australian Parliament, particularly his staunch advocacy for road safety and fierce interest in the rights of workers in the aviation industry.

A straight shooter, you always knew what Alex believed and where he stood.

Despite his cancer diagnosis in December 2019, Alex continued to represent the people of South Australia, the Labor Party, the trade union movement and his constituents with diligence and passion. Notwithstanding his battle with cancer, Alex focussed his parliamentary service on those he served, not himself, earning great admiration and respect across the political divide.

Whilst he may have been born a Scot, Alex made Australia home and always worked hard to advance the interests of South Australia and his fellow Australians.

On behalf of Government Senators, I extend our deepest condolences to Alex’s wife Paola, and his four children and grandchildren.