Greg Combet
Greg Combet comes from a wine making family, growing up at Penfold’s Minchinbury cellars in the western suburbs of Sydney.
He studied mining engineering at the University of New South Wales, working in the coal industry and later in community organisations. After working in the field of occupational health and safety, he went on to become a union official, at the same time graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Sydney. He also has a Graduate Diploma in Labour Relations and the Law.
After working for the Waterside Workers Federation for some years, Greg joined the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in 1993 and was leader of the ACTU from 1999 to 2007.
During his time at the ACTU, Greg oversaw numerous national wage cases to secure pay rises for low-paid Australian workers.
Greg also led the union movement in the high profile 1998 waterfront dispute, the union campaign that secured employee entitlements for 16,000 workers after the collapse of Ansett, and the campaign that secured a multi-billion dollar settlement for Australian asbestos victims from James Hardie.
As ACTU leader he conducted the successful “Rights at Work” campaign against the Howard Government’s workplace relations laws.
Greg is a former director of Members Equity Bank and the $30 billion superannuation fund, Australian Super.
He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006.
Following the Labor Party’s Federal Election win in November 2007, Greg was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement in the Rudd Labor Government.
In February 2009 he was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and in June 2009 was appointed Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change.
On 26th February 2010 he was awarded additional responsibility within the Climate Change and Energy Efficiency portfolio, giving him the direct responsibility for winding up the insulation program and putting the new Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme in place.
After the 2010 Federal Election, the Gillard Labor Government was formed on 7th September. Greg was promoted to Cabinet in the role of Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
Greg is a keen student of Australian labour history, a long time fancier of Gouldian finches and has a natural interest in the méthode Champenoise as it is applied to the production of sparkling Shiraz.
Articles by Greg Combet
Punch: it’s about jobs and clean energy, not a tax slug
A number of times in each federal Parliament, the elected representatives of the people face important tests of their values,…... Read more
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
RT @leysie: Kate Legge on the last days of Hazel Hawke and Bob's farewell serenade. Warning: it will make you cry. http://t.co/iBDFBw74DJ
@TammyMLC @891adelaide @matt_gilbertson Oh I much prefer a gherkin to a virgin #misheardlyrics#springgully
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more