21 Facts About David O'Byrne

David O'Byrne was born on 17 March 1969 and is an Australian trade unionist and politician.

In 2018 David O'Byrne was re-elected to the House of Assembly with a strong personal vote topping the Labor ticket.

David O'Byrne sat on the crossbench as an Independent Labor member from August 2021 until resigning his Labor membership after Labor Leader Rebecca White vetoed his preselection.

David O'Byrne announced his candidacy as an Independent on 4 February 2024.

David O'Byrne was born in Launceston, where his father was a painter, and his mother worked as a cleaner.

David O'Byrne studied at the University of Adelaide where he gained a degree in Labour Studies.

David O'Byrne was initially employed by the Health and Community Services Union, and then with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union.

David O'Byrne served as national vice president of the union between 2008 and 2010.

David O'Byrne's leadership steered successful outcomes in campaigns to get better wages and conditions for childcare workers, casino workers and cleaners.

David O'Byrne has fought for job security for public school cleaners and grounds people, as well as for greater recognition for early years professionals.

David O'Byrne played a lead role in the Your Rights at Work Campaign.

David O'Byrne served as state president of the ALP Tasmanian Branch from 2004 to 2006 and senior vice president of Unions Tasmania between 2001 and 2009.

David 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, and treasurer of the Tasmanian Peace Trust.

David O'Byrne was preselected as an endorsed Labor candidate for the Tasmanian House of Assembly electorate of Franklin on 21 July 2009.

David O'Byrne was elected at the 20 March 2010 state election, polling second on the Labor ticket to defeat incumbent Labor MHAs Ross Butler and Daniel Hulme.

David O'Byrne assumed the portfolio of Police and Emergency Management shortly thereafter.

David O'Byrne held the portfolios of Economic Development, Infrastructure, Workplace Relations, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Police and Emergency Management.

David O'Byrne participated in an investigation conducted by Barbara Deegan, a former commissioner of the Commonwealth industrial tribunals from 1996 to 2014.

However, in 2023, David O'Byrne announced he would seek Labor preselection for Franklin at the next election, despite White letting it be known that he would be not welcome in caucus as long as she led the party.

In May 2014 it was announced that David O'Byrne would take on the role of national secretary of his former union United Voice.

In July 2015 David O'Byrne was appointed chief operating officer for the not for profit Beacon Foundation.