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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 77 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

In 1994 Brett returned to the union movement as an industrial officer with the Australian Nursing Federation. He was respected by nurses in the public and private sectors and did the bulk of the work in negotiating the current ACT government nurses enterprise agreement, which has substantially improved relations between the Government and the nurses. Brett recruited and converted many members to the union movement and to the Labor Party. He stood fearlessly by what he believed in and never shied away from an argument or dispute when his beliefs were questioned. Brett also was involved in the Canberra community through cycling, one of his other great loves. He was race secretary of the Canberra Cycling Club in 1995 and worked with the committee to promote racing in Canberra.

Brett's early death at the age of 33 was a substantial loss for those in this country who are working to see a fair and just society. He will be long remembered in the local Labor Party and the labour movement. He is survived by his partner, Katy Gallagher, who is expecting their first child in August this year.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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