Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to pay my respects and to offer my condolences for the sad passing of Senator Alex Gallacher. Alex and I did not know each other well, but I rise to pay my respects as I've taken the sad honour of filling the vacancy that he leaves behind.

In every sense of the phrase, Alex was a working-class man. He'd been a labourer, a truckie, a proud unionist and a committed member of the Australian Labor Party. While Alex and I did not know each other well, we had many connections. His early career mirrored that of my own father, who was a labourer, a truckie and an executive of the Transport and General Workers Union in the UK and Ireland, and I believe that Alex and I would have had a lot to talk about and that I am the poorer for not having had the opportunity of those robust discussions with him.

When he came to this place, he clearly outlined exactly what he was here for, exactly what his priorities were: the transport industry, road safety and superannuation. He then pursued those issues keenly and with dedication for the duration of his time here. We've heard a lot about his committee work, which is impressive: 23 different committees, ranging across all sorts of different areas. His advocacy for the transport industry and road safety was unparalleled. He successfully campaigned for the establishment of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and later fought passionately against its abolition. He also had the foresight to understand the role of the transport industry in reducing emissions, and in his first speech he noted:

The industry's contribution to carbon emissions is a significant challenge … doing nothing is not an option, as passing on the increased costs imposed will have a significant impact on inflation, affecting every household and business in the community.

On his death, Alex has been described as a champion for the blue-collar worker, a straight shooter and someone who dedicated his life to the interests of working people. As Labor leader Anthony Albanese said recently:

He was a conscientious, no-nonsense man who knew what he stood for.

He was a fighter. He was dedicated. And his role in this place has been borne out today with all of the comments from people and all of the eulogies.

I would just like to express my deep sympathies to Senator Sterle; to Alex's comrades in the Transport Workers Union; and also to his wife, Paola; his children, Caroline, Ian, Terry and Frank; his grandchildren and his broader family. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your loved one. May he rest in peace.