The Australian Catholic University (ACU) graduation ceremony took a surprising turn when a speech by former union boss Joe de Bruyn prompted a mass walkout among graduates and attendees.
De Bruyn, who received an honorary degree, used his platform to express his long-standing opposition to abortion, stating: “the deliberate killing of unborn human beings” has been a cause he has championed for decades.
He claimed that “over 80,000 unborn children are killed by abortion in Australia each year,” and that globally, the figure reaches 42 million annually. He characterised abortion as “the single biggest killer of human beings in the world,” even comparing its toll to that of World War II, per The Age.
As your friendly neighbourhood fact-checker, the most recent estimates, based on independent analysis of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data by university researchers, suggest that approximately 88,000 abortions occur in Australia annually. These figures are from 2017-2018, a period when abortion was still illegal in some states and territories, which may have affected reporting and access.
De Bruyn’s comments extended beyond abortion to traditional family structures. He asserted that “marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God at the origin of humanity in the Garden of Eden,” referencing biblical texts to support his views.
He also touched on in-vitro fertilization (IVF), recalling his past statements that it was “morally wrong to deliberately bring children into the world in an environment where the child would have no father”.
The reaction from attendees was swift. According to one student, around 95 per cent of people left the auditorium during De Bruyn’s speech.
“There was a sense of solidarity. We all got up and we all left, like we’re not going to be a part of this,” student Charlie Panteli told the ABC.
A TikTok video capturing the moment noted, “POV: You attended the ACU graduation where faculty, graduates, and guests left early because the dean was speaking against abortion and non-traditional family structures.”
Comments under the video reflected widespread discontent: one user questioned, “Whether you agree or not, WHAT does this have to do with graduation?”
Another lamented, “My daughter’s graduation so disappointing for her and the others. We walked out once he started.”
A third commenter suggested that the university owed graduates a proper ceremony after their financial investment: “They owe you a proper graduation ceremony at minimum after all the money you’ve paid or debt you will have after this. You should complain.”
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for ACU stated that while De Bruyn’s remarks were delivered in a personal capacity, they recognised that many staff and students disagreed with his views.
“While his views may not be shared by some of our staff and students, as a university we encourage the respectful exchange of ideas that represent the wide spectrum of our diverse community,” they said, per the ABC.
University officials were reportedly concerned about what de Bruyn would say prior to his speech, given his firm opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion, gay rights and IVF.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of renewed discussions around abortion rights in Australia. South Australia recently voted down a bill aimed at banning abortions after 27 weeks and six days, while upcoming elections in Queensland have seen pro-life candidates hinting at potential changes to existing laws.
As this situation unfolds, it is evident that discussions surrounding abortion and family structures will continue to resonate across Australia.
De Bruyn is yet to comment on the situation.
Lead image: tad1wanash3 via TikTok/ Clare Heath-McIvor via X
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