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| Little ‘Aussie battler’ fights some of his own battles |
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By INGRID HARRISON THOSE who remember Bruce Goodluck as member for Franklin in the Federal and briefly State parliament, as well as former Warden of Clarence know that he’s a man who never gives up without a fight. And that’s certainly what he has been doing in his retirement.  Former Federal, State and local government politician, Bruce Goodluck looks over some of the certificates of recognition that he has received over the years. Although he has had some serious health issues in recent years, Bruce is still the same, feisty character that we remember him to be in his time as a hard-working politician for the people. I caught up with Bruce recently, unfortunately as he was organising family and other funeral details following the sudden death of his brother. However, Bruce still had time to talk about issues that he has been passionate about over the years. Many people often questioned why Bruce stood for the Liberal party in the first place, when his politics had a significantly left leaning. “Well frankly there is little difference between the two, however the Labor party just looks after its close mates far better, and that’s fact,” Bruce said. “It probably stems from its union links but it goes further afield, also involving the legal profession, clergy, government and many other areas of the community – they just know how to look after their mates and supporters so much better.” Bruce was always known as the ‘Aussie battler’ politician, the man who was always concerned about the underprivileged and less fortunate. “As far as my own politics were concerned I was there to work for people. The party wasn’t necessarily the issue.” He attributes the Federal Government’s decision to allow half-yearly indexation of pensions as one of his strong achievements while in parliament. “Pensioners do it tough and we still don’t do enough for them,” he said. Early in his working life, Bruce was the local service station proprietor on the Eastern Shore, talking to his customers daily and learning very quickly what were some of the main issues of concern to them. He has maintained his links with the automobile industry throughout his lifetime and his dedication has earned him life membership of the Tasmania Automobile Chamber of Commerce. His early days selling petrol gave him a very clear understanding of what was happening in his community and this continued with his involvement in the Lone Father’s Association. “I was raised by a single father who did it really tough, and I quickly realised how difficult it was for single parents. I am honoured that I have been made a life member of the Lone Father’s Association of Australia.” While I didn’t ask him about this, his famous chicken suit stunt in Federal parliament is something that electors will always remember and it gained him recognition throughout Australia. At the time, he said he was determined to take the ‘mickey’ out of a few parliamentarians “because it can be such a sombre place”, and even though it was a dare from a Labor colleague on the expenditure committee, it literally brought the house down when he came into parliament, sat on the Labor benches and ‘clucked’ at his colleagues. Importantly, Bruce was a strong candidate for Franklin winning the seat in 1975 for the Liberal party, with the largest swing against Labor in the seat. Bruce held Franklin until 1993 when ill health forced him to retire. Nowadays, Bruce still has much to do, as husband to Cynthia, a father of five beautiful daughters Melanie, Catherine, Charlotte, Rachael and Amelia as well as a grandfather of three. He is recovering from recent bowel cancer and having had heart bypass surgery and well as prostate cancer, he has certainly had his own bout of bad luck. In typical Bruce Goodluck style, the health issues have not fazed him. “I take each day as it comes as it really isn’t worth getting too concerned about it.” Just the response you would expect from the Aussie battler, Bruce.
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