David O'Byrne
Encyclopedia
David O'Byrne is an Australian trade unionist and politician. A prominent union leader prior to entering politics and the brother of fellow politician Michelle O'Byrne
, he has been an Australian Labor Party
member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly
since 2010, representing the electorate of Franklin
.
, where his father was a painter, a shop steward, and a life member of a union. O'Byrne grew up in Launceston and studied at the University of Adelaide
where he gained a degree in Labour Studies. He moved to Hobart
in 1994.
, and then with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union
(LHMU).
David was elected as Tasmanian Secretary of the LHMU in 2001 and was re-elected unopposed in 2002 and 2006. He also served as National Vice President of the union between 2008 & 2010.
David also served as State President of the ALP Tasmanian Branch from 2004-2006 and Senior Vice President of Unions Tasmania between 2001 and 2009.
David’s leadership has also steered successful outcomes in campaigns to get better wages and conditions for child care workers, casino workers and cleaners. He has fought for job security for public school cleaners and grounds people, as well as for greater recognition for early years professionals. He also played a lead role in the Your Rights at Work Campaign.
While with the LHMU, David led the Union’s campaign to make Tasmania the first state to protect hospitality workers and the public by introducing a ban on smoking in enclosed areas of bars and casinos.
O'Byrne has made significant contributions to the community through his roles as Chair of Smoke Free Tasmania, member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Care, member of the State Facilitating Group Anti-Poverty Week Organising Committee, Co Chair of the Anti-Poverty Week Organising Committee, Founding member and Chair of the Peace Coalition (a group established to protest the invasion of Iraq), and Treasurer of the Tasmanian Peace Trust. He has held leadership positions of National Vice President of the LHMU since 2007, Senior Vice President of Unions Tasmania 2001-2008, ALP State President 2004-2006 and ALP Vice President 2001-2004.
electorate of Franklin
on 21 July 2009. He was subsequently elected at the 20 March 2010 state election
, polling second on the Labor ticket to defeat incumbent Labor MHAs Ross Butler
and Daniel Hulme
.
O'Byrne's ministerial responsibilities originally encompassed Environment, Parks and Heritage
; Workplace Relations; Arts; Sport and Recreation and the newly created Hospitality portfolio. Following a ministerial reshuffle in December 2010, he was promoted to the portfolios of Economic Development and of Infrastructure, whilst retaining the portfolio of Workplace Relations. In February 2011 he was granted the additional portfolio of Innovation, Science and Technology upon the resignation of Premier David Barlett, who had held that portfolio. He also assumed the portfolio of Police and Emergency Management shortly thereafter.
O'Byrne currently holds the portfolios of Economic Development, Infrastructure, Workplace Relations, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Police and Emergency Management.
Michelle O'Byrne
Michelle Anne O'Byrne is Australian politician for the Australian Labor Party. She was elected in the 2006 state election to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in the division of Bass...
, he has been an Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly
Tasmanian House of Assembly
The House of Assembly, or Lower House, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the Legislative Council or Upper House...
since 2010, representing the electorate of Franklin
Division of Franklin (state)
The Electoral Division of Franklin is one of the five electorates in the Tasmanian House of Assembly. The division is named after Sir John Franklin, the arctic explorer who was Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land 1837-43...
.
Early life
O'Byrne was born in LauncestonLaunceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
, where his father was a painter, a shop steward, and a life member of a union. O'Byrne grew up in Launceston and studied at the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
where he gained a degree in Labour Studies. He moved to Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
in 1994.
Union official and leader
David O'Byrne was initially employed by the Health and Community Services UnionHealth and Community Services Union
The Health and Community Services Union is a Victorian branch the Health Services Union . HSU is registered organisation under the provisions of the Australian Workplace Relations Act 1996....
, and then with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union
United Voice, formerly known as the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union is a large Australian trade union, with around 130,000 members...
(LHMU).
David was elected as Tasmanian Secretary of the LHMU in 2001 and was re-elected unopposed in 2002 and 2006. He also served as National Vice President of the union between 2008 & 2010.
David also served as State President of the ALP Tasmanian Branch from 2004-2006 and Senior Vice President of Unions Tasmania between 2001 and 2009.
David’s leadership has also steered successful outcomes in campaigns to get better wages and conditions for child care workers, casino workers and cleaners. He has fought for job security for public school cleaners and grounds people, as well as for greater recognition for early years professionals. He also played a lead role in the Your Rights at Work Campaign.
While with the LHMU, David led the Union’s campaign to make Tasmania the first state to protect hospitality workers and the public by introducing a ban on smoking in enclosed areas of bars and casinos.
O'Byrne has made significant contributions to the community through his roles as Chair of Smoke Free Tasmania, member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Care, member of the State Facilitating Group Anti-Poverty Week Organising Committee, Co Chair of the Anti-Poverty Week Organising Committee, Founding member and Chair of the Peace Coalition (a group established to protest the invasion of Iraq), and Treasurer of the Tasmanian Peace Trust. He has held leadership positions of National Vice President of the LHMU since 2007, Senior Vice President of Unions Tasmania 2001-2008, ALP State President 2004-2006 and ALP Vice President 2001-2004.
Election to parliament
O'Byrne was preselected as an endorsed Labor candidate for the Tasmanian House of AssemblyTasmanian House of Assembly
The House of Assembly, or Lower House, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the Legislative Council or Upper House...
electorate of Franklin
Division of Franklin (state)
The Electoral Division of Franklin is one of the five electorates in the Tasmanian House of Assembly. The division is named after Sir John Franklin, the arctic explorer who was Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land 1837-43...
on 21 July 2009. He was subsequently elected at the 20 March 2010 state election
Tasmanian state election, 2010
The 2010 Tasmanian state election was held on 20 March 2010 to elect members to the Tasmanian House of Assembly. The 12-year incumbent Labor government, led by Premier of Tasmania David Bartlett, won a fourth consecutive term against the Liberal opposition, led by Will Hodgman, after Labor formed a...
, polling second on the Labor ticket to defeat incumbent Labor MHAs Ross Butler
Ross Butler (politician)
Ross Butler is an Australian politician, was an Australian Labor Party member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 2008 to 2010, representing the electorate of Franklin. He won his seat on a countback of votes on 10 June 2008 after the sitting member and Premier of Tasmania Paul Lennon...
and Daniel Hulme
Daniel Hulme
Daniel Christopher Hulme is a former member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly in the electorate of Franklin representing the Australian Labor Party. He entered parliament on a recount in February 2009 after Paula Wriedt resigned due to ill health...
.
O'Byrne's ministerial responsibilities originally encompassed Environment, Parks and Heritage
Department of Primary Industries and Water
The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is the department of the Government of Tasmania responsible for supporting primary industry development, the protection of Tasmania's natural environment, effective land and water management and the protection of Tasmania's...
; Workplace Relations; Arts; Sport and Recreation and the newly created Hospitality portfolio. Following a ministerial reshuffle in December 2010, he was promoted to the portfolios of Economic Development and of Infrastructure, whilst retaining the portfolio of Workplace Relations. In February 2011 he was granted the additional portfolio of Innovation, Science and Technology upon the resignation of Premier David Barlett, who had held that portfolio. He also assumed the portfolio of Police and Emergency Management shortly thereafter.
O'Byrne currently holds the portfolios of Economic Development, Infrastructure, Workplace Relations, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Police and Emergency Management.