VIC: Kennett praises Kelty s departure from ACTU

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
VIC: Kennett praises Kelty s departure from ACTU

WALLAN, Vic, Aug 18 AAP - Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett today praised outgoing ACTU
secretary Bill Kelty, who announced his resignation yesterday after 17 years at the helm of
the trade union movement.

Mr Kennett, who has frequently lamented the scarcity of what he terms modern trade union
leadership, said Mr Kelty had in some respects lived up to his ideal.

"I obviously didn't agree with everything that he did but he tried to use his authority on
many occasions constructively and I appreciate the efforts that he made in trying to bring the
union movement more closely together with industry," Mr Kennett told reporters during a tour
of central Victoria.

Assistant Secretary Greg Combet has been tipped to take over the ACTU leadership and Mr
Kennett said he hoped Mr Kelty's successor would continue to work towards co-operation between
workers and employers.

"I trust that his replacement will actually take on board the mantle of distinguishing
trade unions of the future from the trade unions of this period of time that we are
completing," Mr Kennett said.

AAP kmh/sp/ra/jm

KEYWORD: KELTY KENNETT

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