Senator Alex Gallagher was 67, and “passed away peacefully” on Sunday. This has been contained in a statement released by SA Labor leader Peter Malinauskas.
The Scotland-born politician was first elected into the Australian Senate in 2010 to represent the people of Vale, South Australia. He served as senator till he passed away Sunday, August 29, after battling with lung cancer for years.
Tributes have since been pouring in for the late politician whom many described as a person of good sense of responsibility and statesmanship.
“He dedicated his life to the interest of working people. He loved the transport sector and those who worked in it,” colleague Labor politician, Anthony Albanese wrote in a facebook post sighted by TPG.
Former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, in paying tribute to the late politiian said; “Throughout his career, Senator Gallacher was a robust advocate for Australian working families, driven by a profound belief that collective action could ensure safe, secure and well-paying jobs for all.
I am especially grateful for Senator Gallacher’s efforts to defend workers from assaults on their wages and conditions (including his role in the fight against Work Choices), and for sticking up for their right to retire in dignity by protecting and enhancing compulsory superannuation.”