Stephen Patrick Hutchins (22 April 1956 – 24 November 2017) was an Australian politician and a member of the Australian Senate for the state of New South Wales (NSW) between October 1998 and June 2011, representing the Australian Labor Party.

Steve Hutchins
Senator for New South Wales
In office
14 October 1998 – 30 June 2011
Preceded byBelinda Neal
Personal details
Born(1956-04-22)22 April 1956
Cronulla, New South Wales
Died24 November 2017(2017-11-24) (aged 61)
Katoomba, New South Wales
NationalityAustralian
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
Spouse(s)1) Diane Beamer
2) Natalie Sykes
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
Harvard University
OccupationUnion official

Early life and career

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Hutchins was born in Sydney. He worked as a forklift driver and waste collector before attending the University of Sydney, where he graduated in arts, and then Harvard University, where he was part of the university's trade union education programme. He was an official with the Transport Workers' Union from 1980 and was Federal President of the union from 1993 to 1998. He was a member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Executive from 1996 to 1998.[1]

On 14 October 1998 Hutchins was elected as a senator for New South Wales. He was elected again in 2004 but defeated in 2010, his term ending in 2011.[2]

Family and personal life

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His first marriage was to New South Wales State Member for Mulgoa, Diane Beamer. His second marriage was to Natalie Sykes, who later became a Victorian state minister.[3]

Hutchins died on 24 November 2017, aged 61.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Biography for HUTCHINS, Stephen (Steve) Patrick". Australian Parliament. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  2. ^ "Former Senator Steve Hutchins". www.aph.gov.au. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019.
  3. ^ Gordon, Josh; Fyfe, Melissa (14 June 2009). "Shorten backs safe seat for former staffer". The Age. Melbourne.
  4. ^ Towell, Noel (24 November 2017). "Dead at 61, former senator Steve Hutchins was 'a stalwart of the Labor movement'". The Sydney Morning Herald.