The following media release was issued by SDA Members for Equality on 25 May 2012.
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SDA MEMBERS FOR EQUALITY
Media Release
25th May 2012
UNION MEMBERS DEMAND RELEASE OF SDA’S GAY MARRIAGE POLLING
Members of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Asssociation (SDA) – the retail workers union – have demanded the release of polling that union’s national secretary, Joe de Bruyn, claims shows “overwhelming support” for marriage in its current form.
Spokesperson for SDA Members for Equality, Duncan Hart, said:
“If Joe de Bruyn bases the SDA’s opposition to marriage equality on research he has done then the members of the SDA have a right to see this research.”
“The position of such a key union on such an important issue must be transparent – there is no room for secrecy.”
According to today’s Canberra Times, Mr de Bruyn, who is also a member of the ALP’s National Executive, said:
‘… the union had “some years ago” discussed with a representative sampling of members the view that marriage was between a man and woman and received overwhelming support. “We believe that this continues to be the view of the overwhelming majority of the members of the union”’.
Mr Hart said this is extremely unlikely.
“Given the high support for marriage equality among young Australians and the relative young age of the SDA’s members, it seems likely the membership overwhelmingly supports reform.”
For the Canberra Times report, go to:
For further comment call Duncan Hart on 0417 035 252 or email sdaforequality@gmail.com