WA Senator Glenn Sterle has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Senator Alex Gallacher Road Safety Award.
Handed out at the start of each year by Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH), the Senator Alex Gallacher Award honours “unsung heroes” in road safety.
Peter Frazer, founder and president of SARAH, presented the award to Sterle via video link.
“Senator Sterle’s life-long commitment, tireless advocacy and substantial contributions in the road safety space embodies the spirit of the Alex Award,” Frazer said.
“He is an extraordinary road safety champion, driven by the belief that ‘Every Australian has the right to get home safe to their loved ones, every day. No exceptions!’”
Assistant minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm also congratulated Sterle on his win.
“If there’s one thing you know about Glenn, its his passion and commitment to road safety,” he said.
“He lives and breathes it 24/7, and he’s used his position as a senator to effectively and passionately advocate to improve road safety right across the sector, benefiting workers, but also families and communities at the same time.”
Sterle started his career as a truck driver and union official, before bringing his on-the-ground experience to the Senate, where he has championed initiatives to improve safety within the transport sector and beyond.
Sterle said he was humbled to accept the award in honour of Alex Gallacher, who served in the Senate for over a decade.
Gallacher and Sterle were close friends until Gallacher’s death in 2021.
“Alex was a relentless advocate for road safety, and I strive every day to continue his legacy,” he said.
“We must work together to ensure safer roads for everyone.”
In conversation with Frazer during the award announcement, Sterle stressed the need to prioritise road safety and to redouble Australia’s commitment to reduce road deaths to less than 570 by 2030.
He also emphasised the urgent need for more rest areas for truck and long-distance drivers and improved infrastructure to accommodate Australia’s growing freight demands.