Vic: Burrow hoses down speculation over Combet job

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2007
Vic: Burrow hoses down speculation over Combet job

By Simon Mossman

MELBOURNE, April 25 AAP - Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Sharan
Burrow has moved to quell speculation about the future of union colleague Greg Combet.

Consistent media reports suggest the ACTU national secretary will run as a Labor candidate
at this year's federal election, contesting a safe NSW Labor seat.

The Australian newspaper today said the union leadership was in turmoil just days before
the Labor Party national conference with the NSW movement's chief John Robertson staking
his claim for Mr Combet's job.

Senior union figures fear the ACTU leadership issue has become a distracting "mess"

with Mr Combet trying to block Mr Robertson in favour of his preferred candidate, Jeff
Lawrence, the newspaper said.

It was all a beat-up, Ms Burrow said.

"The Australian is desperate for a story," Ms Burrow told reporters in Melbourne today.

"First and foremost, Greg Combet has not yet decided to go to parliament. If and when
he does, he'll make that announcement ... For the minute, there's no vacancy.

"I can assure you that any election in our ranks, if it were to occur, would be carried
out with dignity and any candidate who wants to run would be eligible to do so," Ms Burrow
said.

"There is no election at this time, therefore it's absolutely premature to talk about
a candidate or a number of candidates for a vacancy that doesn't exist.

"Greg and I have been a team for seven years. It's a good partnership, a strong partnership.

"I am absolutely respectful of Greg's right to determine what he will or won't do and
until such time as he makes a decision to move there is no support for anyone from me."

Mr Combet seemingly courted speculation about his political ambitions last week, admitting
he was weighing up whether to stand as a Labor candidate.

AAP sjm/ks/cdh

KEYWORD: COMBET BURROW (PIX AVAILABLE)

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