Departure of union boss gives hope for marriage equality support in Labor
Image: Joe de Bruyn (source: New Matilda)
THE national secretary of a powerful right-wing union and prominent campaigner against marriage equality has announced he will step down from his role after more than 30 years of influence within the Australian Labor Party.
Joe De Bruyn, a right-wing ALP factional leader with a reputation as gatekeeper for MPs, announced he would leave his position at the head of the Shod, Distributive and Allied Employees Association next October, and vacate positions within the ALP next year.
The union boss is well-known for his opposition to both marriage equality and abortion, defending Julia Gillard for her position against marriage equality while she was Prime Minister and criticising Kevin Rudd for his change of heart on the issue.
In addition, during the first party-wide ALP leadership ballot between Anthony Albanese and Bill Shorten, De Bruyn said Albanese was 鈥渞abid鈥� on same-sex marriage.
Rainbow Labor members have expressed hope about De Bruyn鈥檚 successor.
鈥淲hilst Rainbow Labor has not always agreed with Mr De Bruyn鈥檚 positions, we wish him well in his future endeavours,鈥� NSW Rainbow Labor co-convenor Donherra Walmsley said.
鈥淲e are hopeful (his) successor will be open to creating a more democratic and representative union movement and Labor Party, through canvassing the views of their members on issues such as LGBTI rights before lobbying for or against them.
鈥淩ainbow Labor calls on the new national secretary to conduct a survey of SDA members to gauge their support for marriage equality.鈥�
Meanwhile, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby welcomed the news.
鈥淛oe de Bruyn has been on the wrong side of the equality debate for far too long, defending the indefensible. We hope this will help to usher in a new era in Australian political debate,鈥� policy officer Jed Horner said.
I bet in a couple of years time, this man will be in jail – all because he got “slush funds” from corrupt unions!
Good riddance to this old bad blood, this anti-gay marriage bigot should have gone years ago! Do not hit the door on your way out!
Vote 1 Sex Party!
Can’t agree Peter. It is a conscience vote and Joe De Bruyn has influence over votes within his faction. Marriage equality just got easier with him gone
Glad to see the back of him. I for one certainly don’t “wish him well in his future endeavours”, unless those endevours involve a pine box with him inside it.
That’s not very nice. Disagree strongly by all means but to wish someone dead over this won’t help you win the debate. Don’t fight intolerance with nastiness.
The ALP already supports marriage equality and has done since 2011. This is a non event.
Many ALP MP’s continue to vote against Marriage Equality on the floor of the Parliament. The policy is a farce, a cop-out and an insult to all same-sex couples. Vote Green!