Craig Laundy

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The Honourable
Craig Laundy
Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation
In office
20 December 2017 (2017-12-20) – 28 August 2018
Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull
Scott Morrison
Preceded byMichael McCormack
Succeeded byMichaelia Cash
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Reid
In office
7 September 2013 – 11 April 2019
Preceded byJohn Murphy
Succeeded byFiona Martin
Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
In office
19 July 2016 – 20 December 2017 (2017-12-20)
Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull
Preceded by
Succeeded byZed Seselja
Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs
In office
18 February 2016 (2016-02-18) – 19 July 2016
Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull
Preceded byConcetta Fierravanti-Wells
Succeeded byZed Seselja
Personal details
Born (1971-02-16) 16 February 1971 (age 53)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political partyLiberal Party
SpouseSuzie Crowe
Children3
Alma materUniversity of New South Wales
ProfessionHotelier
Politician
Websitecraiglaundy.com.au

Craig Arthur Samuel Laundy (born 16 February 1971) is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who served as Member of Parliament for Reid from 2013 until his retirement in 2019. He served as Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation in the Second Turnbull Ministry, before resigning in August 2018 following the ousting of Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister.[1] On 15 March 2019, Laundy announced he would retire from politics at the 2019 federal election.[2]

Early years and background[edit]

Laundy is the son of pub baron Arthur Laundy and his ex-wife Margaret. The family owns more than 50 pubs across New South Wales.[3] Craig was born in Sydney and educated at St Patrick's College, Strathfield, St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, and the University of New South Wales, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics.[4]

Prior to his election to parliament at the 2013 federal election, Laundy worked in the family hotel business.[5]

Political career[edit]

Laundy served as the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs between February and July 2016 following a rearrangement in the First Turnbull Ministry[6][7] and served as the Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science between July 2016 and December 2017 in the Second Turnbull Ministry. Following a subsequent rearrangement of the ministry in December 2017, he was appointed as the Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation.[1] He resigned from the position in August 2018 following the election of Scott Morrison in a Liberal Party Leadership spill.

Fringe benefits tax[edit]

As a candidate during the 2013 federal election campaign, Laundy argued that the removal of the fringe benefits tax concession on motor vehicles would be "another kick in the pants to Australia's automotive industry."[8]

Australian Broadcasting Corporation[edit]

In January 2014, public broadcaster, the ABC received criticism from senior members of the Coalition government, including the Defence Minister, David Johnston, and the Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who said that he feels that sometimes the ABC acts in a way that "instinctively takes everyone's side but Australia's." Laundy defended the ABC, responding that he does not defend their content, but their right to "say what they want." He said that "the beauty of living in a democracy is that if you don't like what you're hearing, what you're watching, or what you're looking at on the internet, choose another channel." He also said that it is not the role of the ABC to be patriotic.[9]

Racial discrimination[edit]

In March 2014, the Attorney-General George Brandis proposed draft legislative amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act, 1975, seeking to remove sections that made it unlawful "to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people" on the basis of their "race, colour or national or ethnic origin."[10] Laundy, a Liberal backbencher at the time, spoke out against the changes, saying that it was "important that we support a legislative system that reflects the diverse and multicultural country that modern Australia has become today."[11] The changes were dropped after widespread public outrage, and opposition from some Liberal backbenchers, including Laundy, Phillip Ruddock, and Ken Wyatt, an indigenous Member of Parliament.

On 3 October 2014, Laundy joined with Labor MPs Tony Burke, Anthony Albanese, and Michelle Rowland in supporting the #NotinMyName campaign, which condemns racism, hatred, and bigotry.[12]

Palestine[edit]

Laundy is co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine Group.[13] On 5 June 2014, the Abbott Government announced the term "occupied" would no longer be used to describe East Jerusalem. Laundy publicly opposed the shift in language, saying that the area was occupied by armed Israeli forces.[14]

Same-sex marriage[edit]

Laundy does not support same-sex marriage, but had previously supported a conscience vote on the issue. In September 2014, he declared that he no longer supported a free vote.[15] After his constituency voted in favour of same-sex marriage in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, Laundy voted for the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, which legalised same-sex marriage in Australia.[16]

In 2015, pro same-sex marriage activists sent unmarked letters filled with glitter to the offices of several Federal Coalition MPs. Laundy's office was briefly locked down until police determined the packages were harmless, and the activist group GetUp! issued an official apology for the stunt. Laundy labelled it a grossly irresponsible act, noting that to "send any undeclared substance through the mail to the office of a Member of Parliament will inevitably cause alarm".[17]

Refugee intake[edit]

In 2015 Laundy was shown photographs of a dead Syrian toddler fleeing the Syrian civil war by his daughter at the dinner table, which brought him and the rest of his family to tears.[18][19] Moved by the images and the unfolding crisis, Laundy called the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, and Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, canvassing an increase in the humanitarian refugee intake by Australia, especially in relation to refugees from Syria.[20] Speaking to the media afterwards about the decision to seek asylum in the face of intense suffering and persecution, Laundy drew parallels between refugees and all of humanity, saying: "There but for the grace of God go any of us. Put yourself in the position of those people and tell me you wouldn’t do the same."[21] Laundy was subsequently appointed as the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Turnbull, Malcolm (19 December 2017). "Ministerial Arrangements" (Press release). Government of Australia. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018. Craig Laundy is promoted to the role of Minister for Small & Family Business, Workplaces and Deregulation. Craig spent two decades in private business before joining Parliament so will bring unique insight into the challenges faced by small businesses. He will take direct responsibility for workplace relations and will work closely with Senator Cash in her new role to ensure the Government is doing everything possible to give companies the confidence they need to invest and create jobs, and to give Australians the confidence they can get the skills and opportunities they need to find a job or land a better paying job.
  2. ^ "'Time to put family first': Craig Laundy confirms he will quit politics at the election". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  3. ^ "About Laundy Hotels". Laundy Hotel Group. 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Hon Craig Laundy MP". Members. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Craig Laundy Liberal for Reid". Liberal Party of Australia – New South Wales. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  6. ^ a b Massola, James (13 February 2016). "Cabinet reshuffle: Malcolm Turnbull announces new frontbench as Mal Brough resigns". The Age. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony". Events. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  8. ^ Carey, Alexis. "Dealers slam FBT 'tax grab'". Cars Guide. News Limited. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  9. ^ "ABC has 'a contract with the Australian people' says Liberal MP". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Racial Discrimination Act, 1975". Commonwealth Consolidated Acts. Commonwealth Government of Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  11. ^ Laundy, Craig. "In Defence of Section 18C". Craig Laundy Website. emedia creative. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  12. ^ Bourke, Latika. "MPs throw support behind Not in My Name campaign condemning racism and bigotry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Parliament honors UN Year of Solidarity". Australian Palestine Advocacy Network. Australian Palestine Advocacy Network. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  14. ^ Borrello, Eliza (22 June 2014). "Rural Liberals criticise Attorney-General George Brandis over East Jerusalem remarks". www.abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  15. ^ Ireland, Judith. "Same-sex marriage: Liberal MP Craig Laundy changes stance on free vote". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  16. ^ "HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - Hansard". Record of Proceedings (Hansard). Australia: Australian House of Representatives. 7 December 2017. p. 13143-13145.
  17. ^ "Get Up glitter mail causes disruptions - OUTInPerth | LGBTQIA+ News and Culture | OUTInPerth | LGBTQIA+ News and Culture". 18 August 2015.
  18. ^ Weise, Zia (2 September 2015). "Refugee crisis: Aylan's life was full of fear – in death, he is part of 'humanity washed ashore'". Independent New Limited. The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  19. ^ Butterly, Nick; Probyn, Andrew (4 September 2015). "Australia To Act On Refugees". The West Australian. Seven West Media Limited. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  20. ^ Gordon, Michael (5 September 2015). "Liberal MPs impassioned plea for refugees". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  21. ^ Butterly, Nick; Probyn, Andrew (4 September 2015). "Australia To Act On Refugees". Seven West Media Limited. The West Australian. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2015.

 

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Reid
2013–2019 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded byas Minister for Small Business Minister for Small and Family Business,
the Workplace and Deregulation
2017–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded byas Assistant Minister for Science Assistant Minister for Industry,
Innovation and Science
2016–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded byas Assistant Minister for Innovation
New ministerial post Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs
2016 		Succeeded by
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