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Ben Spies-Butcher

@bspiesbutcher.bsky.social

2.6K followers 2K following 62 posts

Political economist and sociologist @mqsociology.bsky.social Public finance, social policy, climate and inequality. Co-Director, Australian Basic Income Lab @ausbasicincome.bsky.social own views.

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · Feb 1

How has neoliberalism changed the politics of inequality and social policy? Blog previewing my new book Politics, Inequality and the Australian Welfare State after Liberalisation.

www.ppesydney.net/politics-ine...

Politics, Inequality and the Australian Welfare State After Liberalisation - Part I: Contesting Neol...

Neoliberalism changed many things in Australia. Unions are weaker. Inequality is higher. But exactly what changed is often surprising. The state did not shrink. Social spending did not decrease, nor d...

www.ppesydney.net

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Grounded Community Land Trust Advocacy @groundedclt.bsky.social · 6d

Our submission on Help to Buy is in. Biggest concerns? *Inflated prices *Hidden fiscal costs *No perpetual affordability 💡 Shared equity could work better. Tie it to Community Land Trusts → permanent affordability, real public benefit: sbee.link/6phagtynb8 #HousingCrisis #HelpToBuy

Submission: Help to Buy Regulations 2025 - Grounded

Grounded has made a submission on the proposed Help to Buy regulations. While we welcome stronger consumer protections, the scheme risks inflating housing prices, obscuring real costs, and missing the chance to deliver permanent affordability.

sbee.link

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Elizabeth Humphrys @lizhumphrys.bsky.social · 7d

This event is going to be wonderful! A chance to discuss the past and future of political economy in Sydney
👏💖🎈

Gareth Bryant @garethbryant.bsky.social · 7d

Celebrating 50 Years of Political Economy at the University of Sydney ppesydney.net/celebrating-...

Poster for event celebrating 50 years of Political Economy at the University of Sydney featuring a photo of a woman protesting outside Merewether Building on top of a map of Sydney. Poster credit: Cemal Burak Tansel

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Kevin Bonham @kevinbonham.bsky.social · 8d

I hadn't seen George Brandis' op ed about expanding parliament but it is indeed completely false and @benraue.com has kindly saved me the trouble of debunking it www.tallyroom.com.au/62130

Who would benefit from an expanded parliament?

Today’s blog post is inspired by a strange opinion piece in the Nine papers yesterday by former federal Liberal Attorney-General George Brandis. Brandis’ piece (in addition to incorrect…

www.tallyroom.com.au

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · 8d

I suppose they've given up on abundance...?

"We think the WTO needs to focus on oversupply issues … There’s plenty of products that I think people would say there’s an oversupply."

www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...

As Chinese cars flood the market, Australia backs global crackdown on price war

Australia’s trade minister is pushing for reform of the WTO amid rising alarm that China’s manufacturing boom will hand Beijing coercive power in key sectors.

www.smh.com.au

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Adam David Morton @morton.bsky.social · 13d

JOB!
Permanent Lecturer / Senior Lecturer position (education focused) in Political Economy at the University of Sydney.

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Political Economy (Education Focused) - University of Sydney - Progress in Political Economy (PPE)

The Discipline of Political Economy at the University of Sydney is advertising a continuing education focused position, to be appointed at either Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level. This position is pa...

www.ppesydney.net

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · 12d

How did #housing shape the #auspol election? Come and hear new data and analysis from our MQ Housing and Urban Research Centre unpacking how generation, tenure and partisanship shape how we see the problem and the solutions.

Zoom event, Oct 22, 12pm

events.humanitix.com/webinar-on-h...

Housing and the 2025 Federal Election: Between Crisis and Inertia

Join our free webinar for key insights into housing and politics—ideal for researchers, students, and policymakers tackling Australia's housing crisis.

events.humanitix.com

Reposted by Ben Spies-Butcher

Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 14d

What did i just read.
Cass Sunstein on Henry Kissinger the great Star Wars admirer

southpaw @nycsouthpaw.bsky.social · 14d

Isaac Chotiner interviews Cass Sunstein. www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...

=
THE NEW YORKER ICO
In terms of human rights, I've always found it a little bit puzzling, given what you write, and given who your wife is, that you two were so close to Henry Kissinger. Of all the pre-Trump political figures in America, he is the one I think of as in some ways the opposite of liberal, given his behavior toward the rest of the world.
I'll tell you a story. I wrote a book a few years ago on Star Wars. We invited Dr.
Kissinger to my Star Wars book party, and he said, "You wrote a book about Star Wars? Why'd you write a book about Star Wars?" He was puzzled and courteous, but really confused. And then he came to the book party, which was quite generous. He was a busy person.
But, despite his busyness, he came to the book party.
Yeah, and then I gave a talk on Star Wars, and he came up to me afterward and he said, "Oh, I see why you wrote a book on Star Wars. There's a lot there.
It's, like, about families and it's about governments and freedom." The amount of curiosity and generosity that he showed was incomparable. I don't know anyone who showed that level of curiosity and generosity. And we really got into Star Wars. He just wanted to think about it. I know there are strong views about his career, and I'm hardly an expert on his career.

But your wife is one of the great human-rights experts in the world. I asked you about him being anti-liberal, and your response was that he was very nice to you about your book.
About Star Wars.
It is certainly a touching story. But that's not totally an answer to the question.
Yeah. Well, I don't know. What he would think of this book I'd love to know.
But no second thoughts about being friends with him or anything?
I feel generally very grateful for friendship, and he was, when I knew him, a person of immense kindness.
Those who think of him as someone who was something horrible or worse, 1 don't know what to say about that.

But you could have an opinion on it.
You have an opinion on all kinds of things, right?
Well, on him and his role in
government, that's not something I've particularly studied, so I don't know. I know some people who think he was a horrible historic figure. They would say,
"Would you be friends with Genghis Khan? Would you be friends with Stalin?" And I wouldn't be friends with Stalin, so I concede that.
Well, the next time someone brings up a terrible anecdote about Cambodia or Vietnam, I will definitely drop the Star Wars story to show that people have two sides.
Yeah. And I get those who think you shouldn't be friends with someone who did terrible things. I hear that. I can just say that he was, as a very large number of people would say, though many fewer would say it publicly, an extraordinarily generous friend.
Professor, thank you so much for doing this.
Great, thanks. If we go light on the Kissinger part, I wouldn't complain, because it could dwarf everything else. *

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · 17d

We're hoping they'll be a podcast recording available. Stay tuned...

Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · 17d

Join us on Tuesday night at UTS to discuss: A New Australian Politics?

George Megalogenis @frankbongiorno.bsky.social @lizhumphrys.bsky.social Emily Foley and I discuss how the last two elections have changed Australian politics and what it means for the future

events.humanitix.com/a-new-austra...

A New Australian Politics: Rupture or Realignment

We explore the outcomes of the 2025 Australian federal election and consider whether it signals a fundamental rupture or realignment in the political landscape

events.humanitix.com

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Jess Gifkins @jessgifkins.bsky.social · Aug 24

Really interesting article on the history of engagement with women and gender norms in the Liberal Party.
Thanks @blairwilliams26.bsky.social for your research!

ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · Aug 24

New analysis argues that under John Howard, the Liberal Party became increasingly influenced by a social conservatism that emphasised traditional gender norms.

Answers to Liberal Party's 'women problem' might lie before Howard's time

New analysis argues that under John Howard, the Liberal Party became increasingly influenced by a social conservatism that emphasised traditional gender norms.

www.abc.net.au

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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · Aug 21

"In Australia we tax wealth really badly.

"And because we tax wealth really badly, we need to have higher taxes on, for example, income."

- Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff on 3AW Radio Mornings #auspol @mattgrudnoff.bsky.social

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · Aug 18

Thanks Bron :)

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Australian Basic Income Lab @ausbasicincome.bsky.social · Aug 17

Check out our co-director @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social discussing #BasicIncome #AI and #Inequality in The Conversation this morning.

Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · Aug 17

Just out in @aunz.theconversation.com: #AI #Abundance and money. My reflections on #BasicIncome #BasicServices and why we need more than technical solutions to the political challenges of #poverty and #inequality
theconversation.com/if-ai-takes-...

If AI takes most of our jobs, money as we know it will be over. What then?

AI’s evangelists are promising a future of almost unimaginable prosperity. There’s good reason to be sceptical.

theconversation.com

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · Aug 17

If AI takes most of our jobs, money as we know it will be over. What then?

AI’s evangelists are promising a future of almost unimaginable prosperity. There’s good reason to be sceptical.

theconversation.com

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · Aug 14

Thank you Matt :) Means a lot coming from you

Reposted by Ben Spies-Butcher

Matt Ryan @mattdjryan.bsky.social · Aug 13

🚨 PhD Scholarship 🚨

Thinking about a PhD on the political economy of climate change? Want to work with some of the kindest and best scholars in the field? Do this.

Tbh, I'm jealous of whoever gets this!!!

Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · May 29

The Macquarie PhD scholarship on our new Climate Economy project is now open - working with me, @garethbryant.bsky.social Sophie Weber, @clairerhiannon.bsky.social & Svenja Keele. We'll explore how climate change remakes our political economy. Topic negotiable.

www.mq.edu.au/research/phd...

The climate economy: Emerging strategies for Australia

Join a PhD project on Australia's climate economy, exploring how transport, policy, and finance adapt to climate change.

www.mq.edu.au

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Briony Neilson @brionyneilson.bsky.social · Aug 6

Solidarity with colleagues at Macquarie University opposing catastrophic cuts to Sociology.
You can make a difference by adding your name to the petition here: www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/sa...

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Ben Spies-Butcher @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social · Aug 6

Proud to stand with my Sociology colleagues, joined by @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social @damiencahill.bsky.social and the mighty @nteunion.bsky.social against the devastating cuts proposed at Macquarie University

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Mark Riboldi @markriboldi.bsky.social · Jul 23

From a supporter email Climate 200 sent today - a good example of how the organisation exhibits 'party-like' behaviour, as @phoebehayman.bsky.social, @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social and I wrote about @ausjpolsci.bsky.social in 2024: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

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emilyrosefoley.bsky.social @emilyrosefoley.bsky.social · Jul 17

Hello Sydneysiders! On Tuesday 23rd Sep join Frank Bongiorno, George Megalogenis, @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social, @lizhumphrys.bsky.social & me for our public event A New Australian Politics: Rupture or Realignment. Registration is free & we'd love to see you there! events.humanitix.com/a-new-austra...

A New Australian Politics: Rupture or Realignment
Please join us on at the University of Technology Sydney on Tuesday 23 September 2025, for a public event on the future of Australian democracy.

Is Australia entering a new political era? With a record majority off a near record low primary vote, the new parliament continues the rise of new electoral coalitions, unsettling our assumptions about class, gender, race, and power.
Our stellar panellists George Megalogenis, Frank Bongiorno, Elizabeth Humphrys, Ben Spies-Butcher, and Emily Foley will be engaged in a wide-ranging discussion exploring whether we’re witnessing a rupture or a realignment in Australian politics, and what it means for political life today. The conversation will explore how the traditional party duopoly is being eroded under pressure from shifting demographics, growing economic inequality, and increasing political disillusionment. What happens when the working class no longer feels represented, and when younger, more diverse voters no longer see themselves in the major parties?
Tuesday 23 September — UTS Green Lecture Theatre

Building 7 — Room 025 (full location details below)
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/a-new-australian-politics-rupture-or-realignment
Speakers
George Megalogenis is an author and journalist with over thirty years’ experience in the media, including over a decade in the federal parliamentary press gallery. His latest Quarterly Essay, Minority Report, explores the strategies and secret understandings of a political culture under pressure.
Frank Bongiorno is based at the Australian National University and author of several works of Australian history, including The Eighties: The Decade That Transformed Australia (2015) and Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia (2022). He is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Academy of Humanities.
Elizabeth Humphrys is the Head of Discipline of Social and Political Scie…

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Elizabeth Humphrys @lizhumphrys.bsky.social · Jul 18

On the evening of Tue 23rd Sep join George Megalogenis, @frankbongiorno.bsky.social, @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social, @emilyrosefoley.bsky.social & I for our public event at UTS.

Registration is free & we'd love to see you there!

events.humanitix.com/a-new-austra...

A New Australian Politics: Rupture or Realignment

We explore the outcomes of the 2025 Australian federal election and consider whether it signals a fundamental rupture or realignment in the political landscape

events.humanitix.com

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Nobody Deserves Poverty @nobodyinpoverty.bsky.social · Jul 3

JOIN US: AUWU Advocacy Training on July 12th or 19th!

We'll help you become better informed about the regulations around Centrelink and Workforce Australia, so you can be an effective advocate.

If you're interested, just send us an email at [email protected]

@ausunemployment.auwu.org.au

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Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · Jun 23

Involvement in US strikes on Iran could make Australia a target, experts warn as government tight-lipped on Pine Gap

Calls for more transparency on potential use of US-Australian surveillance base at Pine Gap and Tindal airbase * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australian assistance in US airstrikes on Iran could make Australia a target for retaliation, nuclear experts say, as Australian government ministers decline to comment on the potential involvement of the secretive US-Australian surveillance base at Pine Gap in Sunday’s bombardment. The International Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons (ICan), an Australian-founded organisation that won the 2017 Nobel peace prize, has warned Australia should not facilitate the attacks, “directly or indirectly”, and that “by assisting the US we risk becoming a target”. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Shaun Wilson @shaunwilson.bsky.social · Jun 18

www.afr.com/work-and-car...

David Pocock blasts ANU leadership for ‘trashing’ institution

The independent senator believes urgent action is needed and has written to education minister Jason Clare about management of the national university.

www.afr.com

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Duroyan Fertl ᚇᚓᚑᚏᚐᚇᚐᚅ @dfertl.bsky.social · Jun 18

"Planet Wreckers… Four Global North countries – the #UnitedStates, #Canada, #Norway, and #Australia – are responsible for nearly 70% of projected new #oil and #gas expansion from 2025 to 2035"
Architects of an unliveable nightmare future...
#ClimateCrisis #ClimateChaos
oilchange.org/blogs/planet...

Planet Wreckers: Top Global North Countries Responsible for nearly 70% of projected new oil and gas expansion to 2035 - Oil Change International

Four Global North countries are responsible for nearly 70% of projected new oil and gas expansion from 2025 to 2035.

oilchange.org

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