Anthony Albanese has expressed his sorrow over the death of a close friend and former staffer just weeks after he was elected Prime Minister of Australia.
Mr Albanese posted on Sunday, “Very sad news that my close buddy Kris Cruden has died away peacefully after a long struggle with cancer.”
He called Ms Cruden, who served as his chief of staff, as a “compassionate, brilliant, witty, and amazing woman.”
Ms Cruden, a senior Labor Party figure and “dedicated trade unionist,” served as Mayor of Leichhardt in Sydney for three years, from 1996 to 1999.
Mr Albanese had formed a bond with the former president of the Grayndler federal electorate council after working with her for many years.
‘My local campaign director in two Federal elections, Kris made an enormous difference to many through her activism,’ Ms Albanese said.
‘Life was that much better for all who had the privilege of knowing Kris – much loved by her family, comrades and friends.’
Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne echoed Mr Albanese’s words, describing her as ‘one of a kind’.
‘Kris was a leader of great standing in the trade union movement and the Labor Party, and an excellent human being,’ Mr Byrne said.
‘As all of her thousands of comrades know, Kris was unfailingly loyal and principled – to the end. There was no stronger person to have in your corner.’
Mr Byrne said Ms Cruden had watched Mr Albanese election victory from hospital.
‘She watched the election night coverage from hospital and, as always, she thought the collective progress of the Labor Party and labour movement more important than her personal difficulties,’ he said.
General secretary of the Public Service Association of NSW, Stewart Little, said Mr Cruden was a ‘tireless fighter’.
‘Kris was instrumental in achieving the landmark pay equity case in school education. She will be loved and missed by all at the PSA,’ he said.
