Brotherhood of St. Laurence

THE BROTHERHOOD OF St. Laurence is an Australian charity that was established in 1934, during the Great Depression, by Father Gerrard Tucker, who was motivated by a combination of Christian belief and a desire to end social injustice.

The Brotherhood has a vision of an Australia free from poverty. Consequently, it works with other partners to try to achieve “an inclusive society in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect; a compassionate and just society which challenges inequity; connected communities in which we share responsibility for each other and a sustainable society for our generation and future generations.” This leads to the priority objectives and values: “Ensure that what we do for one we for many…. Establish the eradication of poverty as a national priority…. Promote a movement for social change…. Support a sustainable society.” This combines both research and advocacy.

Father Tucker conceived of the Brotherhood as a religious order, based on the example of St. Laurence, the patron saint of the poor, who worked in Rome in the time of Pope Sixtus (258–276 c.e.). However, this aspect of the organization failed to attract much interest and Father Tucker remained for a number of years its only member. Subsequent leaders of the Brotherhood have instead developed its social research and policy aspects and have launched programs relating to campaigns calling for greater levels of social security, higher minimum wages, and food for all. Based in Melbourne, [Page 92]the Brotherhood now works across Australia. It has established programs aimed at helping older Australians, families and children, job seekers, and refugees. These include HIPPY, the program aimed at helping parents to prepare children for school, and the Transition Project, which is aimed at helping young people who leave formal education early. Its main activities are the production of high-quality research, the consideration of what implications this has for policy, and the advocacy of the policies it believes should be followed. The Brotherhood has achieved revenues exceeding $40 million (Australian) annually.

Australia has a long and famous reputation for fairness and equality. However, the recent electoral dominance of Prime Minister John Howard and his Australian Liberal Party has been accompanied by a hardening of attitudes toward asylum seekers and anyone considered to be a member of the undeserving poor. This has led to the Brotherhood receiving criticism for adopting and promoting policies supporting the low-paid, refugees, and other vulnerable groups. Nevertheless, the Brotherhood has been recognized as one of the great institutions of Australia.

The Brotherhood explicitly acknowledges the role of indigenous Australians as stewards of the continent who have suffered disproportionately from processes of economic development and industrialization. It has also spoken up for the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers at a time when the Australian government has maintained a very determined attitude of toughness and maintained its role as an ally in the American-led War on Terror.