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  Issue No 112 Official Organ of LaborNet 21 September 2001  

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Kyoto Sunset


Naomi Steer - the first left-winger to work at Labor Council in decades - recalls how she discovered the real Michael in a Karaoke lounge.

 
 

The Real Michael Costa?

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It all began in a Karaoke lounge in downtown Tokyo. I was sitting quietly enjoying my drink when suddenly I was hauled up by one of the hostesses, a microphone thrust into my hand and spotlight in my eyes. Standing beside me was an equally stunned Michael Costa. Before we knew it we were propelled into a moving rendition of the Ding Dong Drysdale and Ernie Sigley classic 'Hey Hey Paula/Paul I want to marry you.'

How had I found myself in this position? Only two years before I had joined my comrades at the Teachers auditorium then in Sussex St and called for Michael's head over his hand in the then heretical critique of the ACTU's policy on amalgamation. The Left saw red. Speaker after speaker called for his resignation-. Dr Meredith Burgmann soon to be his colleague in the NSW Legislative Council) then Secretary of the Academic union, Doug Cameron (no doubt relieved he soon won't be a colleague of Michaels), Wendy Caird then NSW Secretary of the CPSU, Stan Sharkey Secretary of the CFMEU. It was one of those nights that Labor Council old-timers fondly remember with a tear in the eye. We wanted blood. Through it all Michael looked smug and unrepentent. Years later when I reminded him of that night I suggested that it might have been a bit more helpful if he had looked a little more contrite. The response was classic Costa. "You think I 'd give you bastards the satisfaction."

But time moves on. Now here I was in Japan as part of a cross-factional delegation Labor Council delegation. The only trouble was that the other left union official Bob Coombs, now Secretary of the MUA, had pulled out at the 11th hour because of union elections and the other right delegate from the Nurses had broken her leg on the day we were leaving. So it was with some trepidation that I arrived in Japan.

I have to admit my initial impressions weren't good. However things improved when we were taken by our hosts at Tokyo Rengo, the peak trade union body in Japan, to the Karoake bar. After our star turn on stage, Michael obviously feeling a little more comfortable launched into a number of solo tracks. Our hosts were impressed. And, clearly thinking that this had been a huge hit with the Australian delegation dragged us off each night for more.

This trip exposed Michael's hitherto very well disguised softer, sensitive and indeed artistic side. Yet I still wondered how he would cope with a night out with my counterpart union the Japanese Actors Union. We had been invited to dinner with the renowned actor Toshiro Mifune, star of the Seventh Samurai and considered a national living treasure in Japan as well as another union colleague, one of the leading Kabuki actors of the day. At first things were I admit a little bit formal. However with a little saki-enforced courage, Michael was soon arm in arm with our Japanese hosts crooning such standard greats as I left my Geisha in old Kyoto.

But it would be misleading of me to suggest that Michael was a totally changed charachter. Far from it. Never shy of an argument, Michael burnt my ears morning to dusk with his views everything. - Marx,"(had some insight") this sushi ("delicious") Fukuyama ("said it all"), the LEFT ("who?") The third way ("my way") Ducker "(Not Drucker! Ducker-Brilliant"). Exhausted I would resort to just agreeing with Michael in the hope he would give in. No such luck. Michael would just reverse his position so we could start the whole argument again from the other side.

I'm sure the prospect of arguing with me was one of the reasons why he supported my nomination to Labor Council as the first left wing official employed at Labor Council for 125 years. Though lets face, it isn't as if Michael has ever been short of sparring partners.

For the most part I have to say Michael was reasonably restrained given that my role sometimes involved putting matters forward from a "different perspective". However things took a nasty turn when I berated him for his comments following the appointment of ACTU President Sharon Burrows that we needed to promote younger women and then went on to name a series of younger women he thought right for the post of ACTU President... In the ensuing outcry from women in the movement, Michael defended himself and suggested that he had been misinterpreted. Whether this was the case or not he had touched a raw nerve with a number of women who felt that there was a view that to be successful in politic or unions women needed to conform to a particular stereotype. Partly to address this concern and I have to say have some fun I drafted a brief article for Workers Online called Trade Union Barbie.

I badly underestimated his reaction, which was apoplectic. In the end I fear I had to threaten the wrath of the Trade Union Women's Committee to get my reply published.

In retrospect I think however that perhaps this entire incident was all part of an elaborate plan by Michael to earn himself an Ernie. Initiated by Meredith Burgmann the annual Ernie's Awards, named after infamous AWU boss Ernie Ecob, awarded various awards for sexist comment. Peter Sams the previous Labor Council Secretary had won a Gareth for most improved a few years before. Clearly the way for Michael to top this was to go the other way. And in his usual determined and persistent way he succeeded ,deeply cherishing his Ernie.

Whatever his motives however the reality is that Michael has always been a strong supporter of promoting women in the trade union movement across all ages and politics. His friends include Sandra Moait the President of Labor Council and Secretary of the Nurses union, Vice President and Media Alliance head Michel Hryce, Lynne Polson the former head of the FSU who used to say me "Costa's half cooked-but I like him." Alison Peters, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Council and former ACTU chief and Throsby candidate Jennie George.

Now Michael is off to Macquarie St to contribute his very considerable skills, talent and unique brand of personal warmth. But don't be alarmed if you hear the gentle strains of Kyoto station wafting down those the corridors of power late at night Its just Michael warming up for his next center stage performance.


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*   View entire issue - print all of the articles!

*   Issue 112 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Exit Interview
Michael Costa looks back at his 14 years with the Labor Council to chart the highs, the lows and the bits in between.
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*  Parliament: Opening Salvo
In his Maiden Speech, delivered this week, Costa gave vent to his views on immigration, Marx, globalisation and mental health.
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*  Scandals: My Evil Twin
Co-conspirator and 'intellectual soulmate' Mark Duffy recounts the legendary 'Leaked Paper' Affair and how its predictions soon came to pass.
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*  Politics: An Agent for Change
Former secretary Michael Easson argues that Costa was instrumental in redefining the factional balance in NSW in the wake of the Cold War.
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*  Review: The Thoughts of Chairman MC
Neale Towart trawls the collected works of Michael Costa and looks at his love-hate affair with Marx.
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*  Factions: Kyoto Sunset
Naomi Steer - the first left-winger to work at Labor Council in decades - recalls how she discovered the real Michael in a Karaoke lounge.
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*  History: A Proud Tradition
Former Premier Barrie Unsworth argues Costa enters Parliament as the best qualified Labor Council leader ever to make the transition.
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*  Psychology: The Man Behind the Mask
Costa's predecessor Peter Sams argues that behind the bluff facade lay a loyal and caring friend.
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*  Seduction: Michael and Me
Chris Christodoulou recounts how Costa convinced him to cross the factional divide and take up residence in Sussex Street.
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*  Satire: Ode to Leon
Long-time sparring partner, Peter Botsman submits this lyrical tribute to Costa's career.
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»  Patricks Workers in Job Security Win
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»  Stellar Drops Unionism Ban
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»  More Sackings But 20,000 Faults To Fix
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»  Howard Erects More Voting Hurdles At Eleventh Hour
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»  Activists Notebook
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Columns
»  The Soapbox
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»  The Locker Room
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Tool Shed
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Letters to the editor
»  In Defence of Kiwis
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»  UK Unions Mourn Knox Loss
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»  Premature Analysis
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»  Belly's Turn
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»  Rally for Peace
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»  John Wayne is Dead
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