ACTU: Combet a champion of Australian workers

29 June, 2013 | ACTU Media Release

Greg Combet - Your Rights at Work Rally 2005

Greg Combet is a champion of working people who has used his career in Parliament and the trade union movement to deliver real outcomes for jobs and workplace rights.

Mr Combet’s announcement he will not recontest the upcoming election was an opportunity to reflect on his enormous contribution, said ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver.

“Greg has been an outstanding Labor Minister, putting the interests of working people front and centre of policy reform.

“As Minister for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation he has delivered historic climate change reform that supports jobs while addressing the urgent challenge of transitioning to a lower-carbon economy.

“Among countless achievements as ACTU Secretary, Greg drove the highly successful Your Rights at Work campaign that killed off WorkChoices.

“He guided the union movement through the difficult waterfront dispute, leading the fight against Patrick’s shameful attempt to smash a unionised workforce.

“He secured compensation payments from James Hardie for victims of asbestos disease.”

Australian unions can’t thank Greg enough for his contribution to the union movement and to all Australian working people, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

“We hope to see him remain involved in the labour movement in some capacity, and wish him well for the next chapter of his life.”

Greg Combet joined the ACTU as an industrial officer in 1993 and served as ACTU Secretary between 2000 and 2007.

[Before that he was a project officer for the New South Wales Tenants' Union, then worked for the Lidcombe Workers' Health Centre. In 1987, he was employed by the Waterside Workers' Federation, now part of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).]