Joe de Bruyn

Joe de Bruyn (born 1949), is an Australian trade union official. He is currently National Secretary and Treasurer of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), a Vice-President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and a member of the National Executive of the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

The SDA, which covers workers in the retail sector, is considered a right-wing trade union, particularly on social issues.cite web | url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/30/1091080443475.html | title=Another Let's-Attack-A-Minority-Group-Wheel of Fortune, by John Howard | publisher="The Sydney Morning Herald" | date=2004-07-30 | accessdate=2008-01-07] It is the single most powerful voting block at ALP conferences, giving de Bruyn an important voice in the policy of both the ACTU and the ALP. De Bruyn is a leading figure in the right wing faction of the ALP.

Born in the Netherlands, de Bruyn is a Catholic and social conservative.cite web | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/delegates-battle-to-present-a-unified-front/2007/04/26/1177459878459.html | title=Delegates battle to present a unified front | publisher="The Age" | date=2007-04-27 | accessdate=2007-11-22] He opposes abortion, stem cell research, and lesbians gaining access to IVF treatment.cite web | url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/26/1067103270537.html | title=Rubbing shoulders with royalty - ALP royalty | publisher="The Sydney Morning Herald" | date=2003-10-27 | accessdate=2008-01-07] In 2000, de Bruyn was instrumental in forcing the ALP to grant a conscience vote on the stem cell issue.cite web | url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/10/03/1033538723916.html | title=Right to oppose Crean policies | publisher="The Age" | date=2002-10-04 | accessdate=2008-01-07]

De Bruyn publicly supported then Prime Minister John Howard's moves in August 2000 to change the "Sex Discrimination Act", allowing Australian states to restrict lesbians from receiving IVF treatment.cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s161734.htm | title=Labor under pressure to change IVF policy | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=2000-08-10 | accessdate=2007-11-18]

In 2002, de Bruyn opposed then Labor leader Simon Crean's attempts to increase the quota of women pre-selected to winnable Federal seats. Said de Bruyn:

"I'm not persuaded we need a change. Women have reached senior positions in the party on their own merits."

On 25 October, 2003, former Australian Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam launched a public attack on de Bruyn, saying: "Joe de Bruyn is a Dutchman who hates dykes."In 2007, de Bruyn was a lone but vocal critic of the policy for a federal same-sex relationship registry during the 2007 ALP National Conference.cite web | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/labor-backs-legal-rights-for-samesex-couples/2007/04/28/1177459995793.html | title =Labor backs legal rights for same sex couples | publisher="Sydney Morning Herald" | date=2007-04-28 | accessdate=2007-12-31]

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