Tribute to Lindsay Tanner

After Julia Gillard was elected by the Labor caucus as the new prime minister, Mr Tanner announced he would no longer contest the seat in this year's looming federal election.

Mr Tanner said, however, that his decision was not motivated by politics but rather the desire to see more of his children.

ASU Branch Secretary, Ingrid Stitt, said Mr Tanner's contribution to unionism had been exemplary.

"I think it is important that we reflect on the contribution that Lindsay made to this union during his time as an FCU/ASU official," said Ms Stitt.

Mr Tanner rose to prominence in the 1980s when he reclaimed the Federated Clerks Union (now the ASU) for the Left, ending decades of Right control dating back to the Labor split of the 1950s.

"Despite the fact that much time has past since those tumultuous days in our union's history, Lindsay and his team re-shaped the ASU into the kind of union we are proud to be part of today," said Ms Stitt.

"Lindsay is one of the hardest working politicians I know and his considerable talents will be sorely missed."