Liam Byrne @Liamj47 Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

On 25 Oct 1990 Nelson Mandela delivered a speech at the Melb Town Hall acknowledging the decades of support by @unionsaustralia for the struggle against Apartheid

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

I really enjoyed @mrseankelly 's portrait of Scott Morrison and his carefully cultivated political image – a ‘flat character’ which acts as a screen upon which voters project expectations and identity. But there are two broader factors that it made me think about...

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

More than anything else Morrison represents decay – decay of our public institutions, decay of our social contract, decay of civic engagement. His rise is indicative of the urgent need of the long term project of the left – re-engaging swathes of the disaffected in politics.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

I just finished QANON And On by @vanbadham . It is extraordinary. It is not just a brilliant study of conspiracy theories and their connection to the far right, it is simply the best writing I have ever read on the internet and politics. It is urgent and vital.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

On this day in 1946 Aboriginal workers in the Pilbara began a three-year long strike against racism and for self determination. It was an heroic struggle that should be better known. I wrote this piece for the @unionsaustralia history page:

Remembering the Pilbara Strike, 1946-1949 - Australian Trade Union Institute

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this webpage does include the images...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

One of the biggest differences between today and the last mass-scale national emergency, WW2, is that the sacrifices made during the war effort were built on a social promise: things would be better after the war.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Australia's greatest PM, John Curtin, was born on this day in 1885. The attributes that made him such an effective leader are exactly those most missing in the current PM: mission and vision. @vanbadham @SwannyQLD @ChifleyResearch

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

Terrific by @1RossGittins . The debate over inflation isn't a neutral one about 'economics' broadly defined - it is fundamentally a difference of social interest and the distribution of social power.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

One of my favourite union stories began on this day in 1938 - it is the story of how the Waterside Workers' Federation went on strike for 10 weeks in solidarity with the people of China, and how Bob Menzies became 'Pig Iron Bob' (thread) @unionsaustralia @MaritimeUnionAU

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

The first is the way cynicism towards politics has been actively cultivated by the political right, and weaponised. I think Morrison’s presentation of self only works the way it does in the context of mass disengagement.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Morrison's extraordinary failures are not just about personal incompetence - they are about ideology. An ideology that denigrates public and social service, places working people last, and elevates the market. The problem is not just him, but what he represents.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

This is a byproduct of what is now many decades of neoliberalism. Decades in which the right have denigrated government and public service. As overt ideology has been squeezed from politics, MPs have been presented as simple cynics: ‘just in it for themselves.’

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

This fuels the notion that ‘they are all the same’ and is what allows the gov. to shrug off constant controversy over their rorts etc. People aren’t that outraged, because it is what they have come to expect.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Pieces like this from the Sun are a useful reminder - Morrison is not a master media manipulator. He is backed by powerful social forces which control a substantial part of the media, and who will happily boost him as long as he is useful in serving the interests of the powerful

David Milner

@DaveMilbo

3 years

Is rat poison our favourite soft drink?

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

On this day in 1990 Nelson Mandela spoke to a packed meeting of trade unionists in Melbourne to thank @unionsaustralia for decades worth of solidarity with the movement against Apartheid in South Africa.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

But the reality is, all institutions reflect social power bases, and a substantial part of the media ecosystem in Australia pursues an overt right-wing agenda that represents the interests of powerful people. This pulls the whole media framework to the right.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

On 1 October 1935, John Curtin was elected @AustralianLabor Leader, winning the ballot by one vote. He said "I can only express my whole-hearted determination to do everything which could be humanly expected of me to carry out my tremendous responsibility." #auspol

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

In this climate, Morrison doesn’t have to be skilled to get incessant positive media coverage. He just has to play the role the social interests that dominate this right-wing section of the media want him to play.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

On 21 October 1969, the legendary unionist Zelda D'Aprano chained herself to the doors of the Commonwealth Building to protest for equal pay for women workers! @unionsaustralia @labourhistoryoz #auspol

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

On this day in 1856 Melbourne Stonemasons took their historic action that resulted in the 8 Hour Day as a general industry standard with no reduction in pay. This was an historic victory. This post on the @unionsaustralia history page tells the story:

21 April 1856 - Melbourne Stonemasons take action for the 8-Hour Day - Australian Trade Union...

On 21 April in 1856, building workers in Melbourne took strike action and won the...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

This says it all, @StephenClibborn outlines the benefits of unionism: "The higher the proportion of employees in a given workplace who are union members, the more power they have and the more effectively they can negotiate to improve pay and conditions."

Is it really worth joining the union?

If you want to contribute to a stronger employee bargaining position and show solidarity with colleagues, it may be a good idea to join the union.

www.smh.com.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

1 October 1935, John Curtin is elected Labor Party leader by one vote. One vote that changed history. The story of that one vote is one of my favourites. And here it is...

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Morrison is a product of this environment – and has manipulated it. He was aided by the decompression of politics during the worst of the pandemic.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

3 October 1941, 80 years ago today, was a decisive turning point in Australian history – on that day, the Fadden Government’s was defeated after trying to introduce its budget. The Governor General called for the leader of the Opposition, John Curtin. @AustralianLabor #auspol

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

On this day in 1947 @unionsaustralia won the weekend! One of the many fundamental rights that working people campaigned for and won through their unions. One employer group called the weekend an “unnecessary and dangerous experiment”

How unions won the weekend - Australian Trade Union Institute

Did you know that workers in their unions had to take action to win the...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

At the Harry Styles concert, 50000+ mostly young people singing Bohemian Rhaposdy while waiting for him to come on. Horrible as the world can be, it is still filled with so much hope and beauty

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Kelly also pulls some punches when talking about the media ecosystem that has allowed Morrison to cultivate his image. I get why – and I am not about to perpetuate the tiresome conspiracy theories about the media.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

10 months

This guy is going to be shocked when he discovers where Medicare, universal superannuation, pay equality, environmental protections, etc etc come from

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

In 1895, the Victorian parliament debated what became the world's first compulsory legal minimum wage. One conservative member, Robert Murray Smith, repeated that old line - a minimum wage would inevitably lead to economic decline and loss of employment. The more things change...

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

50 years ago today, women unionists won legal recognition of the right to Equal Pay in the 1972 Arbitration Commission case. It was an important milestone in the long and ongoing campaign for equal pay by women unionists. This quick thread mentions some of this campaign's heroes

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

I wrote this piece for @ChifleyResearch on the Curtin Government and full employment - and why this history matters for today! @MUPublishing @lhmelbourne @labourhistoryoz @SwannyQLD

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

When the world's first legal compulsory minimum wage was being debated in the Vic parliament in 1895, the conservative Robert Murray Smith argued a minimum wage would destroy the economy (it didn't). More than a century on, and the same old tired arguments are repeated

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

80 years ago today, John Curtin was sworn in as Australia’s Prime Minister. He did not yearn for power, he came to office almost reluctantly, but he accepted the responsibility of leadership, and its burdens.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

There is such a consistent trend of the warnings of big business and right-wing economists contradicting empirical reality in Australian history. It is almost as though their arguments are about obscuring something to protect something. What could that be?

Sally McManus

@sallymcmanus

1 year

The arguments employers made opposing minimum wage rises were wrong last year, they are wrong now: - unemployment went down not up - businesses did not close, more opened - wage increases are not adding to inflation, their excessive profits are

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

This quote from Mandela's speech really captures the significance of such acts of international solidarity - and why it matters.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

This is such a good explainer by @unionsaustralia with a special video where @sallymcmanus talks through the reality of the minimum wage and why it needs to be increased - no theory substituting for experience, just facts

Ready to support a 5.5% wage increase but not sure how? Here's five things you can say

We have been hearing a lot of old disproven excuses from big business and media commentators about why the minimum wage shouldn’t be increased. Here are five things you can say to set the conversat...

www.australianunions.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

40 years ago this week, members of the metal workers’ union (today the @theamwu ) won the 38 hour week after a long industrial campaign for shorter hours. You can read the story at the @unionsaustralia history page:

The Metal Workers win the 38-hour week - Australian Trade Union Institute

On 8 December 1981, unionists in the metal industry voted to end a long industrial...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

I strongly encourage everyone to sign the @NTEUnion pledge supporting greater security in employment for uni staff to support them to deliver better learning outcomes: In my time as a casual academic I never had a contract lasting more than a few months.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

This article by @vanbadham is terrific. I just love the way she has captured the fundamental dynamics of neoliberalism in this section, and punctures the mythologies to lay bare the stark, and horrifying, realities of hyper-capitalism.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

4 months

Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of Muriel Heagney – one of the most significant leaders in the long campaign for equal pay. Every Australian should know who Muriel was, but unfortunately outside of the union movement, her story is rarely told.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

4 years

So excited to hold a copy of my book for the first time - very conscious that this was the result of so much support from others. You know who you are, and you are wonderful

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Looking for some hope and inspiration in these difficult times? The @unionsaustralia History Blog is running a series of inspirational stories about unionists who have made history, starting with Muriel Heagney’s 60-year campaign for equal pay:

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Medicare began operation on this day in 1984. The union movement was integral to its creation, but this history is often neglected. You can read the full story at the @unionsaustralia history page:

How unions helped build Medicare - Australian Trade Union Institute

Medicare wouldn’t exist without the union movement. On 1 February 1984, Medicare came into operation. ...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Curtin and his government were sworn in on 7 October. The years ahead were ones of collective sacrifice, but also promise. The promise that there would be a better tomorrow, a new dawn after the war was won: Reconstruction. Curtin’s government did not pass the buck. It led.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

On 28 Oct. 1916 the trade union movement defeated PM Billy Hughes’s attempts to introduce conscription for overseas service. This came after a mass campaign by union members all across Australia. You can read more at the @unionsaustralia history page:

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

There are many reasons why Curtin still matters. But on this day, in particular, it is especially important to remember that short-sighted government-by-evasion is not innate or inevitable. There is a better way.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Today is the 55th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off, when 200 Gurindji workers and their families struck for Land Rights and wage equality. Unions supported the Gurindji in their heroic struggle. Read more at the @unionsaustralia history blog:

The Gurindji strike, 1966 - Australian Trade Union Institute

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following post may contain...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

Every word of this by @vanbadham on Tim Gurner's appalling speech is absolutely vital, but this warning is particularly powerful and urgent:

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

And don't forget - Curtin's mission and vision were forged in the union movement @unionsaustralia . Curtin was Secretary of the Timber Workers' (today @CFMEUManDiv ), edited an @AWUnion backed newspaper, and was a leader in a forerunner of the @withMEAA .

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Curtin famously came to office reluctantly. He was driven by more than his own ambition, but by a sense of mission. This allowed him to be the leader he was - he was a leader for a larger reason, for a cause.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Fadden led the divided Country Party-UAP government for 39 days. When Australia needed unity, vision, and purpose, the conservatives were divided, short-sighted, and obsessed with themselves. Sound familiar?

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

But the Morrison Gov has completely abandoned the field of the future. There is no hope for a better tomorrow, nothing to suggest that our sacrifices will be redeemed. Just abstract rhetoric about tunnels and light.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

Though the Dalfram was loaded, the union secured a guarantee that no subsequent shipments of pig iron would be sent to Japan following the dispute. The dog-collar licences were also withdrawn from the Port. On both scores, these were major victories for the striking workers.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

4 years

Join @sallymcmanus and @SwannyQLD (and me!) for this online commemoration of Curtin on the 75th anniversary of his passing. We will also launch my new biography of Curtin. You can register at:

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

On 15 Nov. WWF members refused to load pig iron bound for military production in Japan onto the SS Dalfram. The military-backed regime in Japan had invaded China 1937, and the dockers at Port Kembla decided to take a stand in solidarity with the Chinese people.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

The Curtin and then Chifley government's Reconstruction programmes did set the basis for growing prosperity, full employment, and the expansion of the welfare state. It broke with the established market-based consensus and showed there was another way politics could be done.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

But from a longer-term view, I think this lack of promise, this lack of plan, this lack of vision and strategy for a better future will come to be seen as not just a political, but a moral, failing of this government. It has cauterised the hope of generations to come.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

Today the new online Labor history newsletter "Maintain Your Rage" launched with an article on what modern true believers can learn from John Curtin, our greatest PM. For interesting, and inspiring Labor history, sign up at the link below.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Edna Ryan passed away 25 years ago today after a lifetime of campaigning for gender equality. She played a pivotal role in the 1974 case to end separate minimum wages for women and men. You can read her story at the @unionsaustralia history page

Remembering Edna Ryan: Champion of Equality - Australian Trade Union Institute

After a lifetime campaigning for equality for women workers, Edna Ryan passed away on 10...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

4 years

A quick union history I made for the @unionsaustralia Institute to celebrate the Your Rights at Work campaign on the anniversary of the 2007 election #auspol

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

Soon the entirety of Port Kembla’s waterside industry was on strike. The Chinese community in Sydney and elsewhere in NSW organised to support the strikers, sending food and other necessities to help sustain the struggle. 34 Chinese unions sent a letter of support to the WWF.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

The legendary unionist Brian Manning from the @MaritimeUnionAU died on this day in 2013. From solidarity with the Gurindji, to keeping open a radio link with occupied East Timor, his life was one of union solidarity. @unionsaustralia @labourhistoryoz

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Stumbled upon this photo of Muriel Heagney today, a union legend who should be much better known. She spent six decades campaigning for equal pay for women workers. There is a short article on her life at the ATUI blog: @unionsaustralia @labourhistoryoz

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

Love this @unionsaustralia . Captures so well how unions help us overcome the powerlessness of alienation and isolation. If you haven't yet, join our big and welcoming union community!

Australian Unions

@unionsaustralia

2 years

Have you seen our latest TV ad about winning a wage increase? Union members are the only people winning wage increases for workers. Can you help by sharing this to make sure as many workers as possible see it? #ausunions #fortheworkers

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

4 years

Less than a week until this special commemorative event with @sallymcmanus and @SwannyQLD where we will be launching my new biography of John Curtin. You can register at: . @unionsaustralia @AustralianLabor @MUPublishing @unimelb @labourhistoryoz

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Have you heard the slogan “Unions, the folks who brought you the weekend?” On 8 Sep 1947, the 5 day 40 hour working week became the new general standard (coming into effect from 1 Jan 1948). @unionsaustralia

How unions won the weekend - Australian Trade Union Institute

Did you know that workers in their unions had to take action to win the...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

I wrote about this in my biography of John Curtin and his long political journey, “Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin” published by @MUPublishing . You can buy a copy here:

Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin, Liam Byrne

Before becoming the prime ministers who led Australia in moments of extraordinary crisis and transformation, John Curtin and James Scullin were two young working-class men who dreamt of changing...

www.mup.com.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Australia was at war in Oct 1941. Robert Menzies, failed wartime PM, had resigned earlier that year. His devotion to Britain and his faith that it would save us was proven false. Members of his own UAP party turned against him. He was replaced by the Country Party’s Arthur Fadden

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

You can read all about Nelson Mandel's speech, and the long history of union solidarity with the anti-Apartheid struggle, at the @unionsaustralia history page:

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

@sallymcmanus @MaritimeUnionAU She will be shocked when she learns that our wartime leader, John Curtin, was an active union member during the war with today's @withMEAA and was the former union secretary of today's @CFMEUManDiv . Meanwhile when Aus needed leadership most, where was the political right?

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

For his opposition to the strike Menzies was labelled “Pig Iron Bob”. Menzies deployed a punitive anti-union law known officially as the Transport Workers Act, but known among the union movement as the “Dog Collar Act”.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

4 years

This is another truly wonderful piece by @DaveMilbo . I really admire how he gives voice to the solidarity, care, and kindness, that most people have shown each other in this difficult time. If you want to know what Melbourne has been like, this is it. Great work Dave.

David Milner

@DaveMilbo

4 years

Oh yeah this is weird. The Age asked, and somehow trusted me, to write something for them today. Well done everyone (well....... most of you).

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

40 years ago today, 3 April 1982, saw the election of the Cain Labor Government in one of the most consequential elections in Victoria’s history. After 27 years in opposition, Cain’s Labor came to office with a wide-reaching programme for change.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

Here is the announced panel at the @RMenziesInst upcoming debate on the Republic/Monarchy. No offence to any of the individual panelists, but seriously?

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Right here, right now, 200 days into lockdown, it is the immediate failures of this Gov that disgust and alarm me most: failures with the vaccine most starkly (also, take climate action you cowards!).

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

The call for common sacrifice was infused with a common purpose that derived from the belief that changes in our economy, politics, and society were not just necessary, but within grasp.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

The union organised public demonstrations to rouse the people to their cause, including a large public protest meeting officiated by the Mayor of Wollongong. A crew member of the Dalfram addressed the meeting, expressing his and his shipmates support for the strike.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

The strike lasted for ten weeks. Eventually, the dockers were forced back to work. They had spent ten weeks without pay, but eventually the full force of the government and employers arrayed against them was too much.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

This is a great article on full employment by @grhutchens . In the post-war era, full employment was one of many policies deriving from a new governing consensus that the economy existed to serve social needs

One unemployed person per vacant job: Has Australia finally hit full employment?

We're getting closer to full employment, but this isn't what it was supposed to mean, writes Gareth Hutchens

www.abc.net.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

The conservative government of the time tried to prosecute these workers. Spearheading these efforts was Robert Menzies, then the Attorney General, and later long-time conservative Prime Minister. Menzies threatened legal action against the striking workers.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Stumbled on this from the @unionsaustralia 1976 Youth Book. Then ACTU Pres. Bob Hawke describing how a conservative gov. was letting down an entire generation of young workers, and it was the union movement who would fight for them. A different age - the same struggle

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

I usually prefer my political content in the form of Star Wars prequels memes, but have to hand it to @Ben_Davison1 for some awesome history nerd work here

Ben Davison

@Ben_Davison1

3 years

Morrison’s understanding of the Australian Constitution is supported by a number of important historical memes. Both of which I’ve just created. #auspol

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Anyway, just 200-days-of-lockdown thoughts.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Curtin was wracked with reluctance and self-doubt: was he really up to the moment? He did not grasp greedily for power. But when responsibility came, he accepted it. That’s what leaders do. He moved an amendment to reduce the budget by £1.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

In creating a minimum wage, one determined not by the market but social need, the Harvester Judgement was globally defining. Higgins made clear to employers: if your business model did not include paying your workers liveable wages, you shouldn’t be in business.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

But without that one vote, Curtin would not have won the ALP leadership. And the rest, as they say...

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

4 years

So moved by these kind words from @AustralianLabor leader @AlboMP for my biography of Curtin and Scullin which is released tomorrow. Great to see political leaders take our history seriously. Available: . @MUPublishing @labourhistoryoz @AustHistAssoc

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

This was led by the Curtin Government (though sustained throughout Australia by unions and other political and civil organisations) which made the better future concrete rather than abstract by taking action during the emergency to actualise those plans for a better tomorrow.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

7 months

Resharing my fav article from this week, about the awesome @vanbadham - I forgot to mention last time about how much I admired her book QAnon and On - a prescient warning about the growth of cult-like conspiracy politics that has taken hold of some parts of the internet

Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

7 months

What a great article on the incredible @vanbadham - one of Australia's most important public intellectuals and also an artistic powerhouse. Van has played an immense role in ensuring there is a nuanced and urgent discussion of class in modern Australia:

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

@joshburnsmp Since my biography of John Curtin and James Scullin was published I have been asked a lot if Morrison is our worst PM. Policy differences with past PMs aside, no individual has done as much in that office to denigrate the office through basic dishonesty & evasion as he has.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Fadden governed in the minority – relying on the support of two independent MPs. By October 1941 they had become convinced that the conservatives could not provide the leadership Australia needed. They were ready to switch support. They voted with Labor against the gov. on 3 Oct.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

5 years

Susan and Jason are making sure everyone in Parramatta knows that we have got to #ChangeTheRules

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

7 months

What a great article on the incredible @vanbadham - one of Australia's most important public intellectuals and also an artistic powerhouse. Van has played an immense role in ensuring there is a nuanced and urgent discussion of class in modern Australia:

Van was snubbed as a 'state school scrubber', now her second play is on at Sydney Theatre Company

It’s been a tough couple of years for the writer and theatre-maker, but she’s channelled her frustrations into adapting a 17th-century farce, and it’s a delightful romp.

www.abc.net.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

If anyone happens to be thinking about big picture policy this week the parliamentary store still has copies of my book, "Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin" available

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

3 years

Vital to remember the history of unions sticking up for our universal healthcare system - without @unionsaustralia we wouldn't have this fundamental right. You can read more of this history here:

Sally McManus

@sallymcmanus

3 years

On this day in 1976 the ACTU lead a general strike (approx. one third of the workforce participated) to defend the predecessor of Medicare. The newly elected Fraser Govt was trying to undermine universal healthcare just as the Liberals are doing today.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

On 7 October 1941 John Curtin was sworn in as Australia’s Prime Minister. He did not yearn for power, he came to office almost reluctantly, but he accepted the responsibility of leadership, and its burdens.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

At 10.50pm on 7 April 1998, Patrick Stevedores sacked more than 1400 workers. Why? Because they were proud members of the @MaritimeUnionAU . These MUA members did not back down, they did not waver, and they won. The @unionsaustralia history page has more:

MUA: Here to Stay! The 1998 Waterfront Dispute - Australian Trade Union Institute

In April of 1998, the Patrick Stevedores corporation sacked all of its stevedoring workers in...

atui.org.au

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

Gough Whitlam was born on this day in 1916. This quote is from his 1969 electoral appeal, a reminder of the far reaching vision grounded in common decency that guided him in his long journey to bring Australia from the Menzian stupor to meet its future.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

2 years

Absolutely this as said by @SaintFrankly . The decline in journalistic standards has been striking for a while, but coverage like this (not to mention the overt ideology from some outlets) this election is a sign of just how much of a crisis point we are reaching. We need better.

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Liam Byrne

@Liamj47

1 year

Oh, I guess this is why it is happening.

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