17 Facts About Fred Gerbic

Frederick Miroslav Gerbic was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Fred Gerbic became an electrical lineman and later married Joy Constance Nisbet and had three children together.

Fred Gerbic was a trade union organiser before being appointed as Auckland's industrial conciliator.

Fred Gerbic joined the Labour Party in 1961 and from 1962 to 1965 he was a member of the New Lynn Borough Council.

Fred Gerbic became the chairman of Labour's New Lynn electorate committee but resigned as chairman in 1966 in protest of the party head office forcing the retirement of New Lynn MP Rex Mason.

Fred Gerbic's home shifted from New Lynn to Onehunga and became a member of the Onehunga electorate committee in 1971.

Out of thirteen candidates Fred Gerbic was selected to stand in the seat.

Fred Gerbic was cautioned in regards to his role by the Minister of Labour Jim Bolger on his future as an Industrial Conciliator in the event he lose the election.

Fred Gerbic went on to win the by-election and entered parliament.

Fred Gerbic supported Rowling, as did several leading union figures such as national secretary of the New Zealand Electrical and Related Trades Union Tony Neary and secretary of the Wellington Clothing Workers Union Frank Thorn who stated their belief that their affiliation fees were too high and offered little benefit in return.

Fred Gerbic had a portfolio shift in 1983 when David Lange replaced Rowling as leader, being instead appointed as spokesperson for industrial conciliation and accident compensation.

Fred Gerbic was later a Minister without Portfolio, outside of cabinet, towards the end of the Fourth Labour Government.

Fred Gerbic was associate Minister of Immigration, Transport, Civil Aviation and Meteriological Services from 9 February 1990 to 2 November 1990.

Fred Gerbic retired from politics in 1990, after he was defeated by National's Grahame Thorne.

Myles, under Parliamentary privilege, alleged that Fred Gerbic took financial donations in exchange for residency approvals in his capacity as associate Minister of Immigration and in support tabled a transcript of an alleged tape recorded conversation between two Auckland Labour Party members.

The claims were investigated by John McGrath QC who found no evidence of impropriety by Fred Gerbic and dismissed Myles' claims.

Fred Gerbic died at his home in Hillsborough on 29 October 1995 whilst mowing his lawn.