Fond farewell to ‘little Aussie battler’ after former Franklin MP Bruce Goodluck dies in Hobart

A LARRIKIN Liberal who once entered the House of Representatives in a chicken suit is being celebrated as a hardworking MP with a great sense of fun. WATCH THE VIDEO

Former Franklin MP Bruce Goodluck is being remembered as a colourful political character who loved working for the people. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A LARRIKIN Liberal who once entered the House of Representatives in a chicken suit has been celebrated by those who knew him as a hardworking MP with a great sense of fun.

“Little Aussie battler” Bruce John Goodluck — a former MHR for Franklin and state independent MP — died yesterday in Hobart at the age of 83.

Mr Goodluck served as member for Franklin from 1975 to 1993 under Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and then during the term of the Hawke Government.

GALLERY: GOODBYE BRUCE GOODLUCK

Life-long friend, former premier and Braddon MP Ray Groom today remembered Mr Goodluck as the “little Aussie battler” who went from being the Warden of Clarence to the Federal Parliament.

Denison MHR Michael Hodgman, left, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and Franklin MHR Bruce Goodluck looking particularly serious during the PM’s visit to Hobart in 1980.

Mr Goodluck, AM, was celebrated for his sense of humour and in an infamous episode took up a dare and went into the House of Representatives dressed in a chicken suit.

“I heard the Deputy Speaker say ‘Remove that thing from the House’ so I flew out,” he later said.

“They never caught me, nobody dobbed me in, which I found very extraordinary.

“In retrospect, I may have been remembered more for that than all the other things I may have done.”

Mr Groom said Mr Goodluck always had a sense of humour.

“His heart and soul was with the people of the Eastern Shore, who were at that time without a bridge to Hobart,” he said.

“He battled for those with personal problems, pensioners and loved working for the people.

Retiring from Canberra in 1993, Mr Goodluck was elected to State Parliament in 1996 as an independent.

Bruce Goodluck watching proceedings in State Parliament from the public gallery in 2011. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

‘He was a character and did get up to some antics but also did some very serious work,” Mr Groom said.

Premier Will Hodgman — whose father Michael Hodgman shared a flat with Mr Goodluck when the two served together in Canberra — described Mr Goodluck as determined, passionate and authentic.

In recent years, Mr Goodluck was among many mourners to attend Michael Hodgman’s state memorial service.

“While he was known for being a very colourful character in politics, he was also a very skilful grassroots politician with a resolute commitment and track record for getting things done for his community,” the Premier said.

“My sincere condolences to his devoted wife, Cynthia, and his five daughters and their families.”

Mr Goodluck enjoying a quiet moment at his beloved Lindisfarne on Hobart’s Eastern Shore.

Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said Mr Goodluck had strong conservative values, which resulted in him being an effective advocate for all things anti-communist, pro-life and pro-monarchy.

“Bruce Goodluck was the first person I ever voted for after my 18th birthday and someone with whom I was pleased to have a long-standing warm relationship,” Senator Abetz said.

“As a small business owner, he truly understood the ethos of hard work and the battles confronted by the small business community.

“Having been brought up by his father, he understood life’s difficulties from an early age and championed the indexation of the pension and extending the then sole-mothers’ benefit to the sole-parents’ benefit.

“He is one of the few Tasmanians to have served in all three tiers of Government.

“As Mayor of Clarence, he was a true champion for the people of Clarence who were cut off from the capital city when the bridge was taken out.

“As a federal member, he — along with Michael Hodgman — put Tasmania on the map and as a state member he was genuinely elected in his own right and on his own merits.”

Mr Goodluck will be farewelled in a funeral service on Monday.

Originally published as Fond farewell to ‘little Aussie battler’ after former Franklin MP Bruce Goodluck dies in Hobart