Member for Charlton
Minister for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation
Greg grew up at Rooty Hill in Western Sydney and from an early age learnt the importance of community from his father, a local Rotary member and winemaker for Penfolds.He graduated from the University of NSW and the University of Sydney with degrees in Mining Engineering, Economics, and a graduate diploma in Labour Relations and the Law.
At the age of 19, Greg worked in an underground coalmine at Lithgow and joined the coalminers' union. It was here that his work colleagues and experiences inspired his commitment to become heavily involved in the Labor movement.
“I draw strength and inspiration from the achievements of the Australian Labor Party and the broader labour movement. Labor has shaped this nation for the better. Labor is the driver of social and economic progress and equity.”
Greg eventually became secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and played lead roles in high profile campaigns such as the 1998 waterfront dispute, the campaign that secured employee entitlements for 16,000 workers after the collapse of Ansett, a multi-billion dollar settlement for asbestos victims from James Hardie and the successful ‘Your Rights At Work’ campaign against WorkChoices.
He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006, and was elected to Parliament in 2007 and served as a Parliamentary Secretary and then a Minister.
After the 2010 election, Greg was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for the Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, where he led the process to put a price on carbon. In 2011, he was given the additional responsibilities of Minister for Industry and Innovation.
Greg is a keen student of history and the endangered Gouldian finch and maintains an interest in wine making.