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A Proud Tradition

Former Premier Barrie Unsworth argues Costa enters Parliament as the best qualified Labor Council leader ever to make the transition.

	L-R MacBean, Unsworth, Ducker, Easson, Costa, Sams

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Michael Costa's election as a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales at a joint sitting of the Parliament continues a tradition, which stretches back for more than eighty years.

Labor Council Secretary E J Kavanagh became an M.L.C. during World War 1 and was Minister for Labor and Industry in the Story and Dooley Labor Governments of 1920-22.

Michael has become the seventh Labor Council Secretary to serve as a member of the Upper House.

He follows Kavanagh, King, Kenny, Marsh, Ducker and Unsworth.

Michael Costa is without doubt the best qualified Labor Council Secretary to have transferred to the Legislature and will certainly make a significant contribution on behalf of working people in this state.

With a Sydney university degree and a decade of economic management experience in a variety of posts within Labor Enterprises and Statutory Trading and Regulatory Authorities, Michael takes an expertise to the Legislature, which is unsurpassed.

The strength of his background is that unlike many contemporary union officials who come to the union movement straight from university without any work experience, Michael started work at an early age and worked in basic labouring jobs, whilst at the same time undertaking his tertiary studies.

After working as an Ironworker in the Power and Ship Repair Industry, Michael trained as a Locomotive Engineman. In this position he won election as President of his Union.

Michael is also the first person to have become Secretary of the Labor Council from a non-English speaking migrant background.

His early experience of the problems confronting migrant families ensured that he brought to the Labor Council a commitment to fight discrimination and intolerance.

During his twelve years work at the Labor Council Michael has undertaken a variety of tasks that have provided him with insights into every aspect of business activity.

Directorships of the State Rail Authority, Electricity Generators Pacific Power and Eraring Energy, Graincorp and Sydney Water have over time provided Michael with the opportunity to influence the administrative policy and decision making of a wide area of Government activity.

Michael Costa is widely respected for his managerial skills and expertise in the financial management of Boards on which he has served.

As Secretary he has proved to be highly successful particularly in managing the financial affairs of the Labor Council and its Broadcasting and Property interests.

During his involvement with 2KY the broadcasting station embarked on a period of growth by establishing a state-wide racing radio network.

This added substantial value to the asset and enabled a sale to TAB Limited for a significant amount.

Michael has also ensured long term financial security for the Labor Council by the careful management of the Sussex Street and Parramatta properties.

Even the loss making Currawong property did not escape his attention and it appears that he will be the first Labor Council Secretary to stem the drain on Council finances caused by the holiday resort.

With this background Michael will soon become a highly regarded member of the Carr Labor Government and bring credit to the Trade Union Movement from whence he came.

There is a remarkable similarity in Michael Costa's work and achievements so far and those of former New South Wales Premier William McKell, a Boilermaker and Union Official, who studied law and went on to become a great Labor Leader and an inspiration to current generations of Labor Party members.

Michael's colleagues all wish him success in the years ahead that he will spend in the Parliament continuing his good work on behalf of the people of New South Wales.

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  Issue 112 contents

»	Muslim Schools Targets of Hate Attacks
»	Up, Up and Away � Where Does Howard Stand?
»	Revealed: Anderson Ignored Ansett Early Warnings
»	ACTU: Administrator Had to Go
»	Union Official Tragic Victim of Ansett Collapse
»	Entitlements Version 7.0 Still Falls Short
»	Pasminco Latest Entitlements Scare
»	WorkCover: Privatisation Still On the Books
»	Fatigue a Life Threat
»	Egan Faces Prod Over Maternity Rights
»	Patricks Workers in Job Security Win
»	Safety Fears Go Through the Roof
»	Ragged Trousered Scientists
»	Tougher Safety Legacy of Tragedy
»	Stellar Drops Unionism Ban
»	Paint Workers Hit With Injunctions
»	Rort-Friendly Proposals Draw Fire
»	More Sackings But 20,000 Faults To Fix
»	Howard Erects More Voting Hurdles At Eleventh Hour
»	Activists Notebook

»	The Soapbox
»	The Locker Room
»	Trades Hall
»	Tool Shed

»	In Defence of Kiwis
»	UK Unions Mourn Knox Loss
»	Premature Analysis
»	Belly's Turn
»	Rally for Peace
»	John Wayne is Dead

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