Greg Combet
The Honourable Greg Combet | |
|---|---|
| File:IMGP3683.jpg Greg Combet speaking at the Your Rights at Work rally in Melbourne, 15 November 2005 | |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Charlton | |
| In office 03 December 2007 – present | |
| Preceded by | Kelly Hoare |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 April 1958 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse | Petra Hilsen |
| Alma mater | University of New South Wales University of Sydney |
| Profession | Trade unionist |
Gregory Ivan Combet AM MP (born 28 April 1958) is an Australian politician and former trade unionist. He was Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) between 2000 and 2007. He was elected member for the New South Wales seat of Charlton at the 2007 election.
Greg Combet was born in Sydney and attended Baulkham Hills High School. He was later educated at the Universities of New South Wales and Sydney, where he studied engineering, economics and labour relations. He was a project officer for the New South Wales Tenants' Union before working for the Lidcombe Workers' Health Centre. In 1987, he was employed by the Waterside Workers' Federation (now part of the Maritime Union of Australia).
Combet's association with the ACTU began in 1993 when he became a Senior Industrial Officer. In 1996 he was elected Assistant Secretary, and in 2000, following the retirement of Bill Kelty, he became Secretary. Over his time at the ACTU, Combet has co-ordinated many union campaigns, including the 1998 Australian waterfront dispute in which he rose to prominence, as well as campaigns to secure entitlements and compensation for the staff of the collapsed airline Ansett and asbestos victims of the James Hardie company. In his capacity as Secretary of the ACTU, Combet is leading the campaign against the Howard Government's industrial relations law changes.
On 25 March 2007, The Sunday Age reported that senior Australian Labor Party figures had announced that Combet would run for election representing the ALP in the safe seat of Charlton in New South Wales.[1] However, later that day Combet told The Age newspaper that he was not planning an entry into federal politics at the 2007 election, preferring instead to continue leading the ACTU's campaign against the industrial relations law changes.[2] On 4 May 2007, Combet confirmed his intention to run for Charlton.[3] The sitting member for Charlton, Kelly Hoare, expressed anger at losing preselection for her seat [4], and for a time considered running as an independent.
Combet stood down as ACTU Secretary to campaign full time in Charlton in the lead up to the federal election. On 14 June 2007 Jeff Lawrence, National Secretary of the Liquor Hospitalities and Miscellaneous Union was elected unopposed as the next Secretary of the ACTU.[5]
Other
Combet is a director of the Chifley Research Institute.
On 12 June 2006, in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, he was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia.
Combet is married to Petra Hilsen and has one daughter (Anna), one stepdaughter (Clara) and one stepson Yannis Hilsen.
The role of Combet was played by Daniel Frederiksen in the 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation television series Bastard Boys, dramatising the 1998 Australian waterfront dispute.
He is well known for his love of caged birds.
References
- ^ Koutsoukis, Jason (2007-03-25). "Rudd drafts another star recruit to his team". The Age. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Millar, Royce (2007-03-26). "Combet rejects rumours of standing for safe seat". The Age. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Combet confirms he'll stand for ALP, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 4 May 2007.
- ^ Combet painted as Charlton outsider, The 7:30 Report, 31 May 2007.
- ^ Shaw, Meaghan (2007-06-13). "Little-known Lawrence confirmed as ACTU head". The Age. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)