Anthony Albanese’s heartbreak as one of his closest friends dies of cancer shortly after watching him fulfil his dream of becoming Prime Minister of Australia from her hospital bed
- Former Leichardt Mayor Kris Cruden died on Saturday after a battle with cancer
- She was a friend of Anthony Albanese and ran two of his election campaigns
- Mr Albanese paid a heartfelt tribute to his former chief of staff on Sunday
Anthony Albanese has mourned the loss of a close friend and former staffer who died just weeks after he was elected Prime Minister of Australia.
‘Very sad news that my dear friend Kris Cruden has passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer,’ Mr Albanese wrote on Sunday.
He described Ms Cruden as a ‘compassionate, smart, funny and amazing woman’ who had worked as his chief of staff.
Ms Cruden served as the Mayor of Leichhardt in Sydney for three years between 1996 and 1999 and was a prominent Labor Party figure and ‘committed trade unionist’.
Mr Albanese paid tribute to Ms Cruden (pictured) after she died following his election victory
She had served as Mr Albanese’s (pictured) Chief of Staff and was his local campaign director for two federal elections
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.’
Ms Cruden with Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne (pictured) who said she would be missed by those in the Labor movement
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.
Mr Albanese (second from right) and Ms Cruden (second from left) with Mr Byrne (left) and life members of Grayndler, Mr Albaenses federal electorate
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