Liam Byrne
@liamj47.bsky.social
Labor historian. Political biographer. Star Wars prequels admirer. Author of 'Becoming John Curtin and James Scullin'. My substack "Maintain Your Rage" focuses on Australian political history: https://byrnel.substack.com/
If only there was a way to deliver quality universal health coverage without waiting for the false promise of a superintelligent robot "army".
November 17, 2025 at 3:32 AM
If only there was a way to deliver quality universal health coverage without waiting for the false promise of a superintelligent robot "army".
Absolutely floored by this review of my book "No Power Greater" by Frank Bongiorno.
Frank is one of the finest historians this country has produced, and someone whose work I respect deeply.
And the book is, of course, available at all good book stores (and possibly some bad ones)
Frank is one of the finest historians this country has produced, and someone whose work I respect deeply.
And the book is, of course, available at all good book stores (and possibly some bad ones)
October 20, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Absolutely floored by this review of my book "No Power Greater" by Frank Bongiorno.
Frank is one of the finest historians this country has produced, and someone whose work I respect deeply.
And the book is, of course, available at all good book stores (and possibly some bad ones)
Frank is one of the finest historians this country has produced, and someone whose work I respect deeply.
And the book is, of course, available at all good book stores (and possibly some bad ones)
Reposted by Liam Byrne
📚Our last Book+Author event for the year is coming up on October 30!
Liam Byrne will be in conversation with Professor Sean Scalmer about his book 'No Power Greater: A history of union action in Australia' at the intimate Bard's Apothecary in the Melbourne CBD.
➡️ Book now: tinyurl.com/4zas4ws4
Liam Byrne will be in conversation with Professor Sean Scalmer about his book 'No Power Greater: A history of union action in Australia' at the intimate Bard's Apothecary in the Melbourne CBD.
➡️ Book now: tinyurl.com/4zas4ws4
October 20, 2025 at 3:09 AM
📚Our last Book+Author event for the year is coming up on October 30!
Liam Byrne will be in conversation with Professor Sean Scalmer about his book 'No Power Greater: A history of union action in Australia' at the intimate Bard's Apothecary in the Melbourne CBD.
➡️ Book now: tinyurl.com/4zas4ws4
Liam Byrne will be in conversation with Professor Sean Scalmer about his book 'No Power Greater: A history of union action in Australia' at the intimate Bard's Apothecary in the Melbourne CBD.
➡️ Book now: tinyurl.com/4zas4ws4
A thoughtful and generous review of my book, "No Power Greater", by John Howe. Lovely to read the critical reflections of such a renowned expert in labour law on the work - and always appreciate appeals for a sequel!
What is a union? Who do they include and exclude? Are unions relevant in the C21st?
All these questions and more are explored in No Power Greater: A History of Union Action in Australia by @liamj47.bsky.social, reviewed on APH by Prof John Howe
Read the review here: aph.org.au/2025/10/book...
All these questions and more are explored in No Power Greater: A History of Union Action in Australia by @liamj47.bsky.social, reviewed on APH by Prof John Howe
Read the review here: aph.org.au/2025/10/book...
October 11, 2025 at 5:03 AM
A thoughtful and generous review of my book, "No Power Greater", by John Howe. Lovely to read the critical reflections of such a renowned expert in labour law on the work - and always appreciate appeals for a sequel!
Have we reached peak #AI inanity? "Pope Leo XIV said a proposal to create an AI-version of him so people could have a virtual audience with the pope pretty much horrified him."
September 19, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Have we reached peak #AI inanity? "Pope Leo XIV said a proposal to create an AI-version of him so people could have a virtual audience with the pope pretty much horrified him."
Reposted by Liam Byrne
I am not usually excited about podcasts but I love the concept of this one (helps that I am currently obsessed with revolutions, particularly the French one). Ep 1 was great!
Meet the Revolutionaries and Ratbags who shaped the world as we know it!
Was hugely fun to co-host this new history podcast with Francis Leach looking at some of history's great rebels and revolutionaries, and to discuss what this history means for us today
Was hugely fun to co-host this new history podcast with Francis Leach looking at some of history's great rebels and revolutionaries, and to discuss what this history means for us today
September 9, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I am not usually excited about podcasts but I love the concept of this one (helps that I am currently obsessed with revolutions, particularly the French one). Ep 1 was great!
Meet the Revolutionaries and Ratbags who shaped the world as we know it!
Was hugely fun to co-host this new history podcast with Francis Leach looking at some of history's great rebels and revolutionaries, and to discuss what this history means for us today
Was hugely fun to co-host this new history podcast with Francis Leach looking at some of history's great rebels and revolutionaries, and to discuss what this history means for us today
September 8, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Meet the Revolutionaries and Ratbags who shaped the world as we know it!
Was hugely fun to co-host this new history podcast with Francis Leach looking at some of history's great rebels and revolutionaries, and to discuss what this history means for us today
Was hugely fun to co-host this new history podcast with Francis Leach looking at some of history's great rebels and revolutionaries, and to discuss what this history means for us today
Who has done most to undermine the social license of #AI? Large corporations (enabled by tech bro multinationals btw) who saw the new technology as a way to displace workers, undermine established working conditions, and cut down on wages. @firesky.tv #EconSky #histtech
September 8, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Who has done most to undermine the social license of #AI? Large corporations (enabled by tech bro multinationals btw) who saw the new technology as a way to displace workers, undermine established working conditions, and cut down on wages. @firesky.tv #EconSky #histtech
An interesting piece on #AI and the history of tech adoption. It has frustrated me greatly recently to hear a farrago of tech boosters lecturing the rest of us that "history shows" tech will inevitably improve our quality of life, if we just let it run its course.
August 26, 2025 at 2:33 AM
An interesting piece on #AI and the history of tech adoption. It has frustrated me greatly recently to hear a farrago of tech boosters lecturing the rest of us that "history shows" tech will inevitably improve our quality of life, if we just let it run its course.
Reposted by Liam Byrne
Sometimes it takes an act of extraordinary courage to expose and bring down those who rule through fear and intimidation. I hope @nteunion.bsky.social member Liz Allen's brave and harrowing testimony today is the start of such a process - at ANU and other universities.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Julie Bishop accused of bullying by ANU staff member, senate inquiry hears
Former member of the Australian National University council Liz Allen has used a Senate inquiry investigating university governance to allege Chancellor Julie Bishop harassed, bullied, and threatened ...
www.abc.net.au
August 12, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Sometimes it takes an act of extraordinary courage to expose and bring down those who rule through fear and intimidation. I hope @nteunion.bsky.social member Liz Allen's brave and harrowing testimony today is the start of such a process - at ANU and other universities.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Reposted by Liam Byrne
Solidarity to Macquarie University friends, colleagues and students rallying against job cuts that damage staff and student wellbeing and the fabric of the university. 12.00 in the central courtyard. Get along if you can!
August 5, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Solidarity to Macquarie University friends, colleagues and students rallying against job cuts that damage staff and student wellbeing and the fabric of the university. 12.00 in the central courtyard. Get along if you can!
Reposted by Liam Byrne
Strong rally by @nteunion.bsky.social members and students at Macquarie Uni against corporatised uni management’s brutal proposed job cuts. ✊✊✊💜💜💜
August 6, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Strong rally by @nteunion.bsky.social members and students at Macquarie Uni against corporatised uni management’s brutal proposed job cuts. ✊✊✊💜💜💜
A lovely review of my book on union history, "No Power Greater", in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald today, I look forward to writing the sequel as requested, in about 50 or so years.
July 31, 2025 at 9:07 AM
A lovely review of my book on union history, "No Power Greater", in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald today, I look forward to writing the sequel as requested, in about 50 or so years.
"Byrne is absolutely going to have to write the next volume." - my book on union history, "No Power Greater" received this lovely review in The Age/SMH today.
I am looking forward to writing the sequel ... in about 40 years time.
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
I am looking forward to writing the sequel ... in about 40 years time.
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
How a bloke with a stutter changed the way we talk about wages
I feared this book might be as boring as all get out. Silly me.
www.theage.com.au
July 31, 2025 at 7:17 AM
"Byrne is absolutely going to have to write the next volume." - my book on union history, "No Power Greater" received this lovely review in The Age/SMH today.
I am looking forward to writing the sequel ... in about 40 years time.
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
I am looking forward to writing the sequel ... in about 40 years time.
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
Oh few, that's a relief, no need to worry about the effects of #AI because Sam Altman's own deep and comprehensive knowledge of economic and industrial history assures him that in two generations the "magic of capitalism" means that everything will be just fine. Thanks Sam!
July 25, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Oh few, that's a relief, no need to worry about the effects of #AI because Sam Altman's own deep and comprehensive knowledge of economic and industrial history assures him that in two generations the "magic of capitalism" means that everything will be just fine. Thanks Sam!
Exciting news! Apparently demand for my new book, "No Power Greater" has been high enough that the publisher has had to print more copies. Thanks to everyone who has supported the book so far, and if you haven't gotten your copy yet, it is available in good bookstores and online!
July 22, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Exciting news! Apparently demand for my new book, "No Power Greater" has been high enough that the publisher has had to print more copies. Thanks to everyone who has supported the book so far, and if you haven't gotten your copy yet, it is available in good bookstores and online!
Lovely to chat union history and my new book, "No Power Greater", with @louissdevine.bsky.social on his Ideas Matter pod
Are you interested in:
• the early formation of working-class parties
• the meaning and history of unionism
• how labour responded to the neoliberalism of the 1980s?
Then my interview with Liam Byrne is for you!
@liamj47.bsky.social #auspol
open.spotify.com/episode/19bd...
• the early formation of working-class parties
• the meaning and history of unionism
• how labour responded to the neoliberalism of the 1980s?
Then my interview with Liam Byrne is for you!
@liamj47.bsky.social #auspol
open.spotify.com/episode/19bd...
A History of Trade Unionism in Australia, feat. Dr Liam Byrne
Ideas Matter · Episode
open.spotify.com
June 26, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Lovely to chat union history and my new book, "No Power Greater", with @louissdevine.bsky.social on his Ideas Matter pod
I recently spoke about my book on union history, "No Power Greater", at the Per Capita John Cain Lunch. Per Capita have uploaded the talk as a podcast for anyone interested in unionism, social change, and how worker action (in its full diversity) has made change
percapita.org.au/our_podcasts...
percapita.org.au/our_podcasts...
JCL Series: No Power Greater: A History of Union Action in Australia With Dr Liam Byrne - Per Capita
Liam Byrne seeks to illuminate what unionism means, exploring why successive generations of working people organised unions and nurtured them for future generations.
percapita.org.au
June 26, 2025 at 7:33 AM
I recently spoke about my book on union history, "No Power Greater", at the Per Capita John Cain Lunch. Per Capita have uploaded the talk as a podcast for anyone interested in unionism, social change, and how worker action (in its full diversity) has made change
percapita.org.au/our_podcasts...
percapita.org.au/our_podcasts...
Reposted by Liam Byrne
We stand in solidarity with Equity who say thousands of performers have been “Digitally Scanned On Set Without Their Informed Consent”. This shows why we urgently need regulation that protects workers from having their likeness exploited or used to train AI.
meaa.io/40n2ZYj
meaa.io/40n2ZYj
UK Actors Union Says “Thousands Of Performers” Have Been “Digitally Scanned On Set Without Their Informed Consent” In Open Letter To Pact Signed By Emma D’Arcy, Tamsin Greig, Nicola Walker
Equity has posted an artificial intelligence open letter to Pact as negotiations restart saying actors are being scanned on set without consent.
deadline.com
June 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
We stand in solidarity with Equity who say thousands of performers have been “Digitally Scanned On Set Without Their Informed Consent”. This shows why we urgently need regulation that protects workers from having their likeness exploited or used to train AI.
meaa.io/40n2ZYj
meaa.io/40n2ZYj
Why doesn't #AI have a social license? One part (not the whole part) is the substantial amount of time, energy, and resources being dedicated by some within the tech sector to developing AI for mass labour displacement, with no care or regard to what happens to working people as a result.
This A.I. Company Wants to Take Your Job
www.nytimes.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Why doesn't #AI have a social license? One part (not the whole part) is the substantial amount of time, energy, and resources being dedicated by some within the tech sector to developing AI for mass labour displacement, with no care or regard to what happens to working people as a result.
Reposted by Liam Byrne
Congratulations to the many union members who have put university governance on the agenda. We're not finished, but this is a significant development.
@nteunion.bsky.social stands for good governance at our universities. Join today at www.nteu.au/join. ✊
@nteunion.bsky.social stands for good governance at our universities. Join today at www.nteu.au/join. ✊
June 20, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Congratulations to the many union members who have put university governance on the agenda. We're not finished, but this is a significant development.
@nteunion.bsky.social stands for good governance at our universities. Join today at www.nteu.au/join. ✊
@nteunion.bsky.social stands for good governance at our universities. Join today at www.nteu.au/join. ✊
The wonderful ANMF Victoria have published this short piece of mine on the writing of union history and my new book "No Power Greater"- all about unionism's humanising mission, and capturing the voices of those too often left out of the movement's history @anmffederal.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 6:22 AM
The wonderful ANMF Victoria have published this short piece of mine on the writing of union history and my new book "No Power Greater"- all about unionism's humanising mission, and capturing the voices of those too often left out of the movement's history @anmffederal.bsky.social
Reposted by Liam Byrne
Just published, open access, in the Alternative Law Journal: 'Productivity and the four-day work week'
I consider whether adopting a four-day work week in Australian labour law could boost labour productivity, drawing on existing trials in Australia and internationally.
doi.org/10.1177/1037...
I consider whether adopting a four-day work week in Australian labour law could boost labour productivity, drawing on existing trials in Australia and internationally.
doi.org/10.1177/1037...
Productivity and the four-day work week - Alysia Blackham, 2025
Australia faces declining productivity growth, which risks affecting national prosperity. This article considers whether adopting a four-day work week in Austra...
doi.org
June 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Just published, open access, in the Alternative Law Journal: 'Productivity and the four-day work week'
I consider whether adopting a four-day work week in Australian labour law could boost labour productivity, drawing on existing trials in Australia and internationally.
doi.org/10.1177/1037...
I consider whether adopting a four-day work week in Australian labour law could boost labour productivity, drawing on existing trials in Australia and internationally.
doi.org/10.1177/1037...