At an Australian Catholic University graduation, Joe de Bruyn's anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage speech led to a mass walkout.

During a graduation ceremony at Australian Catholic University, former union leader Joe de Bruyn delivered a controversial speech opposing abortion and gay marriage. His remarks, which included a comparison of abortion to World War II casualties, prompted a mass walkout by students and staff. De Bruyn, a former president of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, cited that over 80,000 abortions occur annually in Australia.