Alex entered the workforce in 1971 as a labourer and truck driver when, after five years, he accepted a role with the Trans Australian Airlines (TAA) as a ramp operator. This led to his 22-year career pathway working with the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) in the SA/NT branch.
Starting as a Federal Industrial Relations Officer, Alex moved into a Union Organiser role. It was during this pivotal two decades that Alex’s passion for workers’ rights evolved and he began actively campaigning for improved conditions and wages.
In 1996 Alex was elected as Secretary and Treasurer of the TWU (SA/NT). A role he served for 14 years, in which time he rose to Vice-President of the national branch, before becoming President in 2007.
Alex spent 15 years as a Trustee Director for TWU SUPER, the largest industry super fund for employees in transport and logistics. He also served as Chair of the Investment, Complaints and Appeals Committees.
In a distinguished career as a public official, Alex has also sat as Commissioner for the National Road Transport Commission and Director of the South Australian Motor Accident Commission.
Alex’s hands-on approach to his various appointments in the transport sector proved to be a catalyst to his election into the Senate in 2010, bringing his added local experience as a State Council and National Conference Delegate since the mid-90s.
Alex is equally as active in Parliament as he is in the transport industry, currently the Acting Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council.
