Gary Reading
Gary Reading was an Auckland activist. Died in 2013.
Soviet visit
Years ago he went to the Soviet Union and did the "training course" for two years. Jim Jones said he came back full of ideas and wanted to get rid of Alan O'Neill who was the right wing Carpenters Union Secretary.
TUEA last staffers
Gary Reading, Paul Tolich, Bronwyn Maxwell, Nora Rameka, Linda Sissons, Sue McNabb.
TUEA beginnings
In the mid ’80s, Mike Law was working at Centre for Continuing Education, at the University of Waikato. Shortly after Labour’s 1984 election victory, he was appointed chairman of of a four person Task Force on Trade Union Education. His three colleagues were;
- Jackson Smith; A senior Socialist Unity Party member and Wellington Drivers Union official
- Dick Lowe; A former Labour party executive member and official in the SUP dominated, Labourers Union
- Maryan Street; A PPTA official, Labour party activists, known to be on friendly terms with the SUP. Now a Labour list MP.
This Taskforce led to the establishment of the Trade Union Education Authority. Until it was abolished by the Bolger Government, TUEA served as a taxpayer funded propaganda vehicle for the SUP. Known Party supporters who were paid or subsidised by TUEA include; Graeme Whimp, Hazel Armstrong, Ros Goldsbrough, Brendan Tuohy, Joe Tepania, Gary Reading, Sam Murray and Marilyn Kohlhase.
Workers Communist League supporters on the payroll or in receipt of TUEA subsidies include; Graeme Clarke, David Steele and Therese O'Connell.