Union leader’s views rejected by members
Members of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Union (SDA) have rejected claims today by the union’s national secretary, Joe de Bruyn, that allowing same-sex marriage will be politically disastrous for the Gillard Government, and have called on the ALP heavyweight to survey his membership on the issue.
SDA Members for Equality is campaigning to change the SDA’s policy of opposing marriage equality, saying that the majority of members most likely support the reform.
Spokeperson for SDA Members for Equality, Duncan Hart, said:
“The SDA membership have never been consulted on the issue of marriage equality, yet Mr De Bruyn seems to be on a personal crusade to stop equal rights for same-sex couples.”
“Mr De Bruyn’s comments are particularly hurtful to many of the gay and lesbian members of the SDA.”
Hart said that the SDA leadership was “out of step” with its members on the issue, pointing to a Galaxy Poll last year which found that 80% of young Australians support marriage equality.
“Polls show that a majority of Australians support marriage equality and young people are the strongest supporters. It stands to reason that the SDA membership, which is largely young people, would also support marriage equality.”
“But Joe de Bruyn refuses to listen to his members on this issue. He continually uses his position to push an anti-equality agenda.
“It’s time that Mr De Bruyn actually consulted and represented his membership on this issue rather than the personal views of Joe de Bruyn.”
SDA Members for Equality is currently conducting a photo petition to pressure the SDA leadership to support marriage equality. Photos can be sent to: [email protected]
Dave Canberra
We are only talking about this now due to the Greens. If Labor has policies that lead to great cruelty for some Australians, then despite the best efforts of some within the party, I can only vote on the policies.
Labor does not even include us in the Federal Equal Opportunity Act let alone give us the right to marry. The Greens seem to have no issue with my sexuality, but Labor certainlty does.
And what about subjecting GLBTI refugees to torture? The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister got a jail sentence so what do you think they will do to refugees? GLBTI refugees are not excluded in the laws of Malaysia. They can have the flesh torn off their body if they ever make love to their partner in their many years of detention.
I think Labor is broken, and I agree with DavidW. The Marriage debate represents what is so wrong with Labor.
Dave of Canberra, if the Greens weren’t in control of the Senate now, it wouldn’t matter what the National Conference in December decides. It’s going to be a joint effort of the ALP and the Green to get marriage equality in.
And if it’s not done in this term of the ALP government then we’re going to have wait for the next time the ALP holds federal government which could be a long time away.
And by the way, for every marriage equality rally I’ve been to, it’s been Greens politicians fronting the demo not ALP ones.
Yes, I’m grateful for any behind-the-scenes work being done in the ALP. But please also give credit where it’s due: there are lots of people and organisations working towards the one end.
Two quick points:
(1) de Bruyn’s is not alone in his campaign it starts at the Vatican and comes to Australia via Cardinal Pell and the pulpit.
(2) and far more importantly please, please do not vote Green if you are a Labour voter that won’t help those of us who have been battling within the ALP for years.
DavidW you should also remember that those of us who have fought the good fight have won in every state and territory with the exception on NSW where the vote at that State Conference was postponed, I believe that was due to the Right not having the numbers to win, so no now is not the time to run away its time to stand and fight.
Yes it’s been a long hard fought battle but we are so close to winning and we need every Labor supporter and friend at this years national Conference if we are to end the discrimination. Which frankly is something the Greens can’t do they are not in Government and I for one can’t wait for that to happen to get the equality I demand.
Ed: The NSW vote wasn’t postposed, instead they just referred it to the national conference without taking a stand.
This guy represents all that is sick with the Labor party. His power & priveliged position gives him a voice for hate. Imagine if he was sprouting that the right to vote should be removed from Aboriginals? Who is there to stop him? The ONLY way to stop him, it to CONTINUE to vote GREENS in ALL elections unitl the Labor-Voice of homophobia is smashed. Even if you don’t agree with all the Greens’ policies, this is the time now to vote for ourselves, and for our direct families & friends to vote for us for a change. Once Labor’s equality-phobia is broken, we can then go back to voting Labor, but at the moment, that is totally out of the question. Tell all your family, and friends, and work mates.
Duncan is doing such a great job with this new group. Keep up the good work. This is about so much more than same sex marriage… This is about basic principles of democracy. Unionism is about democracy, and Joe De Bruyn is not only thoroughly against gay rights, he is against democracy within trade unions. This is something that every single working person in Australia should be up in arms about. Where is the democracy in Australia’s largest trade union?
I find it incredibly sad Joe spits in the face of a signifcant percentage of his membership, both queer and allied. If I can offer a touch of dry humour, aren’t there allegedly a few queers in retail? What happened to being representative of constituents? How do Joe & co keep getting re-elected? Good work Duncan Hart and friends for takinga stand on these points
Gillard has taken Labor to its lowest Polls in recorded history without equality in Marriage. She did this by following the cruel policies of the Joe de Bruyn.
So logic would have it that Labor should throw the SDA Union out of the party and Labor will increase its chance of getting elected again.
This is a really arrogant stance for him to take, if they can get this done in NY, which is not as liberal as we all like to think surely we can do it here http://macarthursmutterings.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/if-new-york-can-do-it/
Hooray! If you are a member of the shoppies – or know someone who is a member – get agitated and organised – you deserve better representation than what this cabal is forcing on you.